Cost Of Fresh Pepper Per Basket In Nigeria (July 2024)

Everything from jollof rice to stews and soups gets a lively edge from fresh pepper, an essential ingredient in Nigerian cooking, but recently, many have been asking: what the cost of fresh pepper per basket in Nigeria is right now? This is because the price of this vital spice has become a heated topic.

In this article, we will look at the current price of fresh pepper in the Nigerian market, the factors that have caused it to fluctuate recently, and some budget-friendly ideas for spice shopping.

Also See: Cost Of Onions Per Bag And Basket In Nigeria (July 2024)

Let’s go into details about Pepper price update in Nigeria!

Current Market Price Of Fresh Pepper Per Basket (July 2024)

Reports from our market survey indicate a significant rise in pepper prices across Nigeria in July 2024.  

Let’s look at the cost of fresh pepper per basket in Nigeria right now!

Basket Prices of Pepper:

A basket of Scotch Bonnet pepper could cost between ₦55,000 and ₦120,000 depending on location and quality.

Bell pepper baskets might range from ₦95,000 to ₦110,000, depending on size and quality.

Basket Prices Shombo Pepper

The current price of a big bag for (shombo pepper) is ₦90,000, while the small bag currently sells for between ₦40,000 to N45,000.

Basket Prices Tatashe Pepper

The current price of tatashe pepper is between ₦80,000 to ₦100,000, which is the price range for the biggest bag of tatashe pepper in various markets

Price of Fresh Pepper in Major Nigerian Cities

Ogaprice’s team went out to monitor the prices of pepper across different states and cities in Nigeria such as Taraba, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Nasarawa, Edo, Kaduna, Kogi, Adamawa, Benue, and Sokoto, and the reports we got indicate that the price of pepper keeps rising in July 2024.

Cost of Fresh Pepper in Lagos:

Here is the Pepper price list in Lagos Nigeria

Measurement/Quantity	Old Price	New Price
Big bag	₦25,000 – 30,000	₦90,000 – 110,000
Small waste bin basket	₦4,000 – 5,000	₦13,000 – ₦15,000
Unit sale (5 pieces of fresh pepper)	₦100	₦500

Cost of Fresh Pepper in Benin City:

Fresh pepper prices in Benin City Nigeria this month

Measurement/Quantity	Old Price	New Price
Small waste bin basket	₦3,000 – 4,000	₦10,000 – 12,000
Unit sale (5 pieces of fresh pepper)	₦100	₦500
Big Basket	₦25,000 – 35,000	₦90,000 – 100,000

Cost of Fresh Pepper in Lokoja:

Measurement/Quantity	Old Price	New Price
bag of pepper	₦20,000 – 30,000	₦80,000 – 90,000
dustbin basket	₦3,000 – 4,000	₦10,000 – 12,000
small Basket	₦8,000 – 10,000	₦25,000 – 30,000

Cost of Fresh Pepper in Adamawa:

Measurement/Quantity	Old Price	New Price
bag of fresh pepper	₦20,000	₦55,000
dustbin basket	₦2,000	₦8,000
Unit sale (10 pieces of fresh pepper)	₦100	₦500

Cost of Fresh Pepper in Sokoto:

Measurement/Quantity	Old Price	New Price
Big bag	₦60,000	₦150,000
dustbin basket	₦2,000	₦8,000
Unit sale (10 pieces of fresh pepper)	₦100	₦500

Cost of Fresh Pepper per kilogram in Nigeria

If you are buying fresh pepper in smaller quantities, that is in kilograms, the retail price of fresh pepper per kilogram can range from₦6,000 to  ₦8,000

Causes of the Price Increase of Fresh Pepper in Nigeria

Fresh pepper prices in Nigeria today has become a hot topic and ever since the fresh pepper crisis began in Nigeria, a lot of farmers, professionals, traders, and consumers have attributed the over-bloated price of fresh pepper to different factors including bandits chasing farmers from their farms, inadequate rainfall, heat waves, fuel subsidy removal, and many more.

Let us look at some of these reasons for the continuous increase of the price of fresh pepper in our various markets.

Seasonal fluctuations

Nigeria pepper market prices depends heavily on seasons. The harvest period for the current species of fresh pepper is coming to an end, some people say we should keep looking towards November/December for another harvest since it is not yet the season, it is expected supply will be reduced and prices will be increased.

Inflation crisis

Nigeria is experiencing a persistent inflation crisis, with food inflation reaching 33.69% in April 2024 according to data from the NBS. It is now evident that the general increase in the price of food and other commodity also affected fresh pepper in the market.

Transportation costs

The high cost of transporting tomatoes and pepper from the North to the South and other parts of the country has contributed to the high Pepper cost in Nigerian markets.

Apart from the amount paid for transportation, there are other amounts incurred by traders such as the settlement of law enforcement offers along the highways when transporting goods from one state to another. 

When our correspondents interviewed some pepper and tomato traders in the various markets, they complained that the number of roadblocks mounted by various security agents along the highways is way too much and you have to give between N200 to N1000 to pass each of these roadblocks.  After paying these additional costs, traders will have no choice but to include these expenses in the price of their goods.

Insecurity

In some parts of the North, insecurity has disrupted the supply of tomatoes and pepper, which has resulted in a shortage in supply of the farm produce leading to higher prices.

Impact Of Price Increase Of Fresh Pepper On Consumers And Traders

Increased cost of living

The surge in prices of fresh pepper in the market has added to the inflation crisis, making it difficult for consumers to afford basic food items thereby increasing the cost of living in Nigeria.

Reduced sales

Traders are experiencing reduced sales due to the high prices, which are affecting their livelihood, some traders have stopped selling pepper because they complained that people no longer buy fresh pepper since it is becoming out of reach, so they have to look for other food items to sell.

Unhealthy alternatives:

Some consumers are resorting to unhealthy alternatives in cooking, such as dried tomatoes and pepper, due to the high cost of fresh pepper in the market.

Alternatives To The Use Of Fresh Pepper In Nigeria

While fresh peppers are becoming out of reach ingredient for ordinary Nigerians, there are some alternatives you can make use of and still get the vibes that fresh pepper gives in your dishes. 

Let’s see some of these alternatives to fresh pepper below:

Dried Peppers: Dried peppers will give you a concentrated flavor and they can be easily stored for long use.

You can try out different types of dried pepper like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper, Ghana pepper, and other types for a unique twist.

Pepper Pastes and Sauces: Ready-made pastes and sauces will give you a convenient option and can add a burst of flavor to your dishes.

Some tomato pastes are mixed with pepper, so you may not have to add pepper to your meals when making use of such tomato pastes.

Spicy Vegetables: Vegetables like onions, ginger, and scotch bonnet peppers (in small quantities) can add a subtle heat to your dishes.

Being creative can go a long way in adding a tasty boost to your meals while staying within budget.

Conclusion: Cost Of Fresh Pepper Per Basket In Nigeria (July 2024)

As of July 2024, the cost of fresh pepper per basket, per kg, and various measurements in Nigeria continues to rise, causing concerns and difficulties among consumers and traders.

The seasonal fluctuations in the quantity of fresh pepper produced, inflation crisis, transportation costs, fuel subsidy removal, and insecurity are some of the factors contributing to the price increase of fresh pepper.

As the prices of pepper and other commodities continue to soar, the government needs to take proactive measures to address the situation and ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable and healthy food options.