As the hardship crushes harder making people live in the face of this harsh economic realities, market women in Nigeria have lamented over the steady rise in prices of perishables.

Some of these women as well as their customers, who spoke with Kristina Reports on Friday, July 26, 2024 during a tour of the Caro Market in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, lamented that the situation is really disturbing.

“Look my table, how many tomatoes you dey see, things don cost, I no fit even buy again. My pain na be say customers no dey understand, if you try put tomatoes, dem go do like say you cheat them. So for now, until I sell the one wey I get finish, I no dey buy again”.

These were the exact words of a trader who simply identified herself as Charity. Charity explained that the prices are increasing on a daily.

Kristina Reports discovered from a trader who pleaded anonymity that as the day goes, prices are skyrocketing.

“These tomatoes you dey see like this, I buy one basket N30,000. How much I go sell com out and you know say these things dem dey spoil quick quick.

“Once e start to bring out water, na to rush am selling am, and you no go fit even see the money you take buy am. I go soon stop. See pepper, that small custard I buy am 10k, I no dey use sweet mouth talk am. E dey pain me.

Speaking also, a woman addressed as Nancy told Kristina Reports that she has succeeded in improvising since she cannot do anything about it and she is very happy to share her recipe with anyone who wants to hear.

“Tomato kee, I don’t use fresh tomato to make my stew again, once I buy pepper, shombo, tatashe and some spices. I go straight to buy cucumber, I blend my cucumber and I use it in place of tomatoes.”

“Thank God for Facebook, I saw the recipe and I decided to try it. If my husband gives me money for stew, it’s that recipe I use and it turns out well. I don leave tomato for who fit purchase am.”