Tuesday 10 May 2016

No More Tomato Stew

I wanted to write about this last week after I came back from the market. Yes o… I go to market o, what were you thinking? I wanted to prepare my precious concussion tomato stew, so as usual I did my list.
Tomatoes: N200 Pepper: N100 (or less depending on quantity) Onions: N50 Iced Fish (Titus): N500
I know you are wondering about the spices, Maggie and co… I have them boku in my makeshift kitchen.
So with eagerness I went to the market and ended up disappointed. I wanted fresh tomatoes stew but I ended up settling for sachet tomatoes concussion jellof rice. What happened?
Tomatoes, is either not in the market or it has become gold or fuel all of a sudden. The price has skyrocketed alarmingly. I have been wondering and asking; what is really happening? 5 small bulbs of tomatoes where set for N100. “Ogini?” that was what I said to the aboki that was selling – of course I prefer buying from the aboki’s because I get more in jara (or fisi) than the regular sellers. I thought he was joking until I discovered the price was same throughout the market that day… Na wa ooo!
On Facebook this morning, I saw a friends post (see it in the picture below). He wrote: “Tomatoes #500, many will doubt that but a visit to Owerri market will convince you…”

I was tempted to call him up so that I can send money to him to buy tomatoes from Owerri for me and send to Lagos because from the picture I can count 8 tomatoes, same size as I saw in the market but of course, mine was just 5. Someone even told me she saw 4 for same price: N500.
D matter av tire me o… In fact, I have come up with a new resolution, at least for now; no more fresh tomatoes stew… friend rice all the way and probably every other forms of rice without fresh tomatoes. I am not so much of a fan of tin or sachet tomatoes, but I have little choice right now. I even hear their prices are going up too... hmmm!
So a bag of rice last week was N15,000… Just this morning I hear it is now about N20,000. Paint bucket size of Garri which was N400 was N600 as at last week, I don’t know about this week.
Which way Naija?
Some have said it is because the government has place a band on importation of these commodities. I was scared to hear that Nigeria imports fresh tomatoes even though statistics still shows that we are the second highest producers of tomatoes in Africa. Some have said that it is because of the little rainfall by this time of the year. I also heard that the issue of herds’ men who threaten farmers, talking tough is the reason, because many farmers seem to have abandon their farms in safety for their lives. Na wa o…
My own is; let there be food at least, man must wak ooo! 
And so I ask again: Which way Naija?

13 comments:

  1. My dear it's a terrible situation ooo. Tomatoes has now turned to dollar.


    www.trendwithgloria.com

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  2. I have switched to Ofe Akwu...I can't shout with tomatoes.
    Nigeria is at a really depressing stage and it's only God that can help us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ofe Akwu makes plenty sense. I wish I can always have some whenever you prepare it...Lol.
      God will help us.

      Delete
  3. Which way naija o. Are you seriously kidding me? 500 naira? For these few pieces? I dare say food is cheaper in Ilorin then. I can still buy that for 150 naira. What would I do without tomatoes kwa. In my egg, for stew, for spaghetti, etc. etc. Life without tomatoes na suffer suffer o. Chai!

    Lord we need relief in Nigeria, please help us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our reality at this point is scary, seriously!

      Delete
    2. My brother what to do. I am just so speechless, I haven't got the strength to process all that is happening. But as the saying goes, what has a beginning must surely have an end. This too will pass and it shall all end in praise.

      I blog at http://www.deveinmesite.wordpress.com

      Delete
  4. 😂😭this thing isn't even funny at all. Paint bucket of garri in my area is 700 naira. For now, I've given up on tomatoes.satchet tomatoes will do. It is well with us.

    evitaspeaks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...but you know some people never consider sachet tomatoes as an option; if its not fresh tomatoes, it is not tomatoes.
      I fear for those doing big big party/owambe this period.

      Delete
  5. Hmmmm I honestly do not want to share my weekend tomatoes shopping experience here. I have long ported to palm oil station. No time to waste.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Na Egusi,Ogbono Psoup be the solution


    Www.bolatitoblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Na Egusi,Ogbono Psoup be the solution


    Www.bolatitoblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Na Egusi,Ogbono Psoup be the solution


    Www.bolatitoblog.com

    ReplyDelete