Prices of vegetables at some major markets in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region have witnessed significant drop within a period of one month.

A market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency at the Zanlerigu, Pelungu, and Kongo markets in the district revealed that prices of vegetables such as tomatoes, pepper, and okro had reduced drastically.

Farmers of these commodities, who expressed worry about making losses, attributed the trend to increasing supply of the vegetables from farmers and other dealers.

For instance, a bucket of tomatoes, which was sold between GH₵120.00 and GH₵150.00 at the beginning of September, is now available for GH₵45.00 to GH₵70.00.

Similarly, a basin of tomatoes, which was sold between GH₵250.00 and GH₵300.00, now goes for GH₵100.00 and GH₵150.00

Also, okro and fresh pepper have seen price reduction.

Currently, a bucket of okro costs GH₵60.00, a significant reduction from GH₵120.00, while a bucket of fresh pepper is priced between GH₵55.00 to GH₵70, 00 compared to over GH₵100.00 previously.

The drop in prices, according to the farmers was benefiting the customers while posing losses and significant financial challenges to them due to high cost of production including high costs of labour, seedlings, and fertilizers.

Mr Mba Kugbon, a tomato farmer, expressed frustration, noting, “We are not happy with the current prices, considering our expenses, however, with tomatoes being perishable, we are forced to sell at whatever price we can when there is abundance”.

Mr Ntaba Bagna, another tomato and pepper farmer indicated that the prices at which the vegetables were sold were discouraging as most of the farmers would not break even if the prices continued to reduce in subsequent weeks.

“We were happy when a bucket was around GH₵120.00 or above because that would have helped us cover our expenditure, but now we are not even breaking even with the current prices”, he added.

Mrs Cynthia Nyaaba, a trader, also voiced concerns about the volatile prices, saying “the instability of prices makes it difficult to predict profits. For instance, buying a bucket of tomatoes for GH₵50.00 in Pelungu and transporting it to Bolgatanga at an additional GH₵10.00 only to sell it for less than GH₵70.00 means we end up with little or no profit”.

However, Mrs Talata Yakong, a food vendor at Zanlerigu Market welcomed the price drops, noting, “the lower prices have led to substantial profits for me, and I hope this trend continues”.

Madam Stella Awuni, a customer and a nurse by profession, shared her satisfaction with the current prices, saying “the reduced prices are fantastic. Now, a small amount of money can buy what I need, which is a significant improvement”.

Harvesting of vegetables and some crops have started in the Upper East Region, mid-September and would go on to November 2024.