Tomatoes Going Red Hot Again? Plus 5 Things Getting Cheaper This Week

CTN Market Watch: Week 19 – Where to shop smart this week

Column summary intro:
Welcome to CTN Market Watch – your weekly companion for finding quality goods at reasonable prices across Nigeria. Each week, we break down current market trends, highlight the best spots to buy staple foods, vegetables, protein, and household items, and help you avoid price gouging. Plus: global price moves that affect your wallet. Here’s what’s happening in Week 19.

Why keep coming back to CTN?
Because we don’t just give prices — we tell you where to go, when to buy, and what’s coming next week. No other platform breaks down local and global market shifts this clearly, this fast, and this free. Bookmark this column.

Global market brief – how the world affects your shopping this week

· Global rice prices fell another 1.5% – Thai and Indian exports are abundant. Local imported rice may drop slightly by Week 20.
· Palm oil futures up 4% on Indonesia export restrictions – expect local palm oil to rise within 2 weeks.
· Wheat prices jumped 3% after Russia dry weather warnings – flour, bread, and pasta will likely follow.
· Global sugar prices steady for now – but Brazil port delays could change that by end of May.
· Crude oil at $89/barrel – transport fuel remains a major hidden cost on every food item.

What this means for you:
Buy palm oil now before the increase hits. Stock up on rice if you see a good price – it may not last. Bread is about to get more expensive again.

Week 19 market snapshot (May 4 – May 10)

· Tomatoes up sharply again – dry season fully ended. Prices will keep climbing for 2–3 more weeks.
· Onions finally showing slight drop – new stock arriving from Niger Republic border.
· Beans remain cheapest in Benue and Nasarawa – Lagos prices are 18–22% higher.
· Frozen chicken flat but diesel costs could push prices up by Week 20.
· Palm oil already rising in Southeast – buy now if you live east of the Niger.

5 things getting cheaper this week (yes, really):

1. Onions – down 8% in Kano and Kaduna
2. Sweet potatoes – down 10% in Abuja markets
3. Smoked fish (bonga and catfish) – down 7% in South-South
4. Foreign rice – down 2–3% in Lagos wholesale
5. Secondhand clothing (okrika) – down 5% in Aba

Best buys by region – what to pay (reasonable cost guide)

Southwest (Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta)

· Tomatoes (1 basket): ₦32,000–₦36,000 – best at Idi-Oro, but arrive by 7am
· Ewedu leaves (bunch): ₦300–₦400 – Oyingbo market, buy Tuesday for freshness
· Rice (50kg foreign parboiled): ₦75,000–₦78,000 – Daleko – down slightly
· Frozen chicken (1kg): ₦4,200–₦4,600 – Agege cold rooms, buy before Thursday

Southeast (Enugu, Onitsha, Aba)

· Garri (white, 2kg sack): ₦2,000–₦2,400 – Ogbete Main Market – up slightly
· Crayfish (ground, small paint rubber): ₦1,200–₦1,500 – Ariaria market – stable
· Oil bean seed (ukpaka, 1 cup): ₦900–₦1,100 – New Market Enugu – limited supply
· Goat meat (1kg): ₦5,000–₦5,500 – Relief Market Onitsha – no change from last week

North (Kano, Kaduna, Abuja)

· Onions (1 big bag, 50kg): ₦105,000–₦118,000 – Kurmi Market Kano – finally dropping
· Sweet potatoes (1 heap): ₦1,100–₦1,400 – Dei-Dei Abuja – cheapest this month
· Beans (oloyin, 1 mudu): ₦1,500–₦1,800 – Singa Market Zaria – steady
· Groundnut oil (1 litre): ₦3,100–₦3,500 – Wuse Market – up due to nut scarcity

South-South (PH, Warri, Uyo)

· Fresh catfish (medium size, 1kg): ₦3,200–₦3,700 – Mile 1 Diobu PH – higher
· Plantain (bunch, ripe): ₦3,500–₦4,000 – Iwofe road market – dry season impact
· Palm oil (1 litre, native thick): ₦2,800–₦3,200 – Effurun market – buying now advised
· Smoked bonga fish (big piece): ₦500–₦650 – Uyo main market – discounted this week

Price trend analysis for Week 19 – what’s up, what’s down

· Tomatoes up 26% from last week – worst yet to come. Preserve now if you can.
· Onions down 8% – first drop in six weeks.
· Eggs (1 crate): ₦3,300–₦3,600 – up from feed costs.
· Bread (600g sliced loaf): up another ₦100–₦150 – buy weekly only.
· Secondhand clothing (okrika): still dropping – Aba and Lagos boundary markets remain best.

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Shopping tip of the week
For onions: buy a full bag (50kg) with 2–3 neighbours if you have storage space. Hang them in a mesh bag or old net in a dry, airy place – never on the floor. A bag split three ways gives each person 16kg at wholesale price, saving 20–25% versus buying in small heaps.