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Women in Maiduguri on Wednesday described as ”unbearable” the lingering scarcity of fresh tomatoes in this year’s Ramadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scarcity of the commodity in the major markets in the Borno capital has forced the residents to resort to sachet and tinned tomatoes for their cooking.

The scarcity of the commodity has also caused a price jump, forcing most women to shun it.

Hajiya Falmata Bawa, a housewife in Gwange, told NAN that the scarcity of tomatoes had lingered for too long, describing the situation as “unbearable”.

Bawa said that tomato sellers in most markets like Tashan Bama, Monday Market, Gamboru and Bulunkutu were selling at exorbitant prices due to the scarcity.

She said that a basket of tomatoes was selling at N16,000 as against N8,000 before the Ramadan.

“Tomato is hard to find in this town but we are hoping that maybe after fasting, it will be available,” said Bawa.

Hajiya Salamatu Ba’ana, a resident of New GRA, said she had resorted to tinned tomatoes instead of the fresh ones.

“Right now as I am talking to you, you cannot buy tomato for N100 but N300 and above and you won’t even see a very fresh tomato.

“For you to be able to make a good stew, you have to spend more than N1000 on tomatoes alone.

”And even if you cook with tinned tomatoes, you won’t have that natural taste you want,” she said.

Malam Bukar Mala, a perishable item seller in Tashan, said tomatoes were usually scarce and expensive during the rainy season, not only in Borno but all over the country.

Mala equally attributed the scarcity to the security challenges as most farming activities had stopped in the state.

He pointed out that most of the product was being transported from neighbouring states.