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Prices of onions and tomatoes have risen in major markets in Enugu, leaving families struggling with rising food costs and forcing some traders to reconsider their businesses.
A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, showed that the prices of the two essential cooking ingredients had increased significantly compared to August and September.
Traders attributed the increases to expensive transportation, deteriorating roads, insecurity along major supply routes and shortages of agricultural products arriving from northern Nigeria.
Onion prices exceed ₦270,000 in Enugu
At New Garki Market, onion trader Ibekaku Orji said a large bag of onions now costs between ₦272,000 and ₦280,000, compared to ₦170,000 and ₦185,000 in September.
The figures indicate an increase of around 47% to 65%, depending on the prices compared.
Orji said smaller bags were selling for between ₦137,000 and ₦140,000, while a paint bucket full of onions had gone up between ₦10,000 and ₦11,000.
Previously, buyers paid ₦5,000 to ₦6,000 for the same size.
He explained that the increase in the cost of onions cannot be attributed to seasonal fluctuations alone.
According to him, poor conditions of roads connecting northern production areas to southern markets, rising transportation costs and safety concerns are making supplies more expensive.
These challenges, he said, contributed to the unusually high prices recorded in Enugu markets.
Enugu trader stops selling onions because customers complain
The situation has become particularly difficult for small traders who depend on regular purchases from families and food vendors.
In New Market, Aria, onion seller Maxwell Agu revealed that he has temporarily withdrawn from the business due to the rising cost of the commodity.
Agu said customers have repeatedly complained about the prices, making it increasingly difficult to maintain normal sales.
He explained that he has decided to stop buying supplies of fresh onions until market conditions become more favorable.
His experience reflects the pressure that high food prices can place on traders as well as consumers.
Tomato prices rise to ₦68,000 per punnet
Tomatoes, another widely used ingredient in Nigerian households, have also become more expensive in Enugu.
The NAN investigation found that a large basket now sells for between ₦60,000 and ₦68,000, depending on the variety.
In August and September, similar hampers were sold for between ₦45,000 and ₦50,000.
A smaller basket currently costs between ₦40,000 and ₦45,500, while a bucket of paint sells for between ₦7,000 and ₦8,000.
The bucket size previously cost between ₦5,000 and ₦5,500.
The increases raised concerns among traders and buyers who expected tomato prices to fall as the harvest season progressed.
Enugu onion and tomato price comparison
| Goods | Previous price | October 21, 2026 |
| ———————— | —————– | —————– |
| Big bag of onions | ₦170,000–₦185,000 | ₦272,000–₦280,000 |
| Small bag of onions | Undeclared | ₦137,000–₦140,000 |
| Bucket of Onion Paint | ₦5,000–₦6,000 | ₦10,000–₦11,000 |
| Large basket of tomatoes | ₦45,000–₦50,000 | ₦60,000–₦68,000 |
| Basket of cherry tomatoes | Undeclared | ₦40,000–₦45,500 |
| Bucket of Tomato Paint | ₦5,000–₦5,500 | ₦7,000–₦8,000 |.
Tomato shortage in northern Nigeria impacts markets in Enugu
At New Akwata Market in Garki, tomato trader Ekwutosi Iyi attributed the price increase to inadequate supplies from northern agricultural centres.
He said the UTC tomato variety commonly transported from Jos, Plateau State, remained in short supply despite the arrival of the scheduled harvest period.
According to Iyi, October will normally bring greater availability of the variety, helping to reduce prices.
However, supply remained below traders’ expectations, keeping wholesale and retail prices high.
Tomatoes arriving from Benue State are also expected to provide buyers with cheaper alternatives during the period.
Continued shortages have prevented expected seasonal price reductions.
Traders warn that tomato prices could remain high
Elizabeth Onu, a tomato seller at Ogbete Market, expressed concern that prices could remain high unless supply improves.
He said the approaching main harvest period would offer little relief if sufficient quantities of tomatoes failed to reach Enugu markets.
UN’s concerns highlight the importance of reliable transportation and distribution networks in ensuring that agricultural products reach consumers at reasonable prices.
For traders, supply uncertainty makes it difficult to predict future prices or plan purchases.
Consumers are demanding government intervention
At the Mayor Market, buyer Chinasa Ugwunze expressed surprise that tomato prices remained high despite the start of harvesting activities.
Ugwunze said consumers traditionally expect prices to fall during the final months of the year, when fresh produce becomes more readily available.
Instead, families faced higher costs for basic ingredients used in everyday cooking.
He urged the government to invest in modern storage facilities that can preserve perishable agricultural products and reduce waste.
Such infrastructure, he said, would help maintain food supplies during times of shortage and reduce sudden price fluctuations.
Rising food costs put pressure on Enugu families
The latest increases underline the challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain, particularly moving fresh produce from northern farming communities to southern consumer markets.
Long-distance transportation, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and inadequate storage facilities can affect the final prices paid by consumers.
For families in Enugu, the immediate challenge is to find ways to manage increased food expenses as traders wait for supplies to improve.
It remains uncertain whether onion and tomato prices will fall in the coming weeks, with sellers warning that significant reductions will largely depend on the availability and cost of fresh produce.
