Prices of tomatoes, pepper, soar in Lagos markets ahead of RamadanAhead of the Ramadan, price of rice, beans, egusi, ogbono, tomatoes, pepper and chilli pepper is on the rise in markets across Lagos state, according to a survey by the NAIJ.com at Berger retail market and Mile 12 market.
-The prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have jacked up in most markets across the state, according to survey
- At Berger retail market in Ojodu and Mile 12 market, NAIJ.com gathered that the prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities, such as vegetables, yam, tomatoes, pepper, and fruits that are in high demand soar
- The survey showed that some of the available commodities in the markets have had their prices hoisted, including those cultivated locally in the state
- Traders in the market attributed the rising cost of goods to increase in the cost of purchase, seasonal change and weather condition
As Muslims around the world will be taking part in the ritual fasting and abstinence for 30 days to celebrate Ramadan, The prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have increased in various markets across the Lagos state.
At Berger retail market in Ojodu and Mile 12 market, NAIJ.com gathered that the prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities, such as vegetables, tomatoes, pepper, and fruits that are in high demand soar.
A view of Ojodu-Berger road, Ojodu, Lagos. Photo credit: Esther Odili
The survey further revealed an increase in the price of some food items that are imported and a stable price of other items that are brought into the market locally.
With a grappling economy, reduced profit rate and low patronage, traders? informed that this season seemed to be the worst hit by the recess in the economy as the prices of local and imported food items and fruit have risen.
At the market, our correspondent observed that the prices of foodstuffs like ogbono, egusi, rice, beans, yam, fish, tomatoes and pepper, are on a very high side, while patronage is low even as most traders were seen sitting idle in their shops at the time NAIJ.com correspondent visited.
Ebuka, a trader who sells foodstuff dealer, explained to us the reason for the upswing in prices.
Foodstuff items increases in various markets across Lagos state. Photo credit: Esther Odili
He said: ?The price of palm oil and groundnut oil is relatively low now as against the old price in previous months. 25- litre of branded groundnut oil that goes for N15,000 before, now cost N13,000. And the refill groundnut oil cost N12,500, while the price of palm oil goes for N11, 500.
?The price of beans lately has not been stable too, it fluctuates. A bag of beans Olotu cost N48,000 while Oloone cost N35,000. And a medium sized bag of Oloyin cost N24,000. A measure of beans (derica) still sells for between N270 and N300, depending on the type.
?A bag of Aroso rice cost N16, 500 while Agric rice cost N14,500. Although we have other branded rice that cost more but the demand for these two is high. For garri, it depends on the type you are selling. We have the Bendel garri, ijebu garri, Ondo garri, Cameroun garri and so on. The cost of purchase determines the selling price. A big bag of garri (white) cost N14,000 while the bag of garri (Yellow) cost N16,000.
?The measurement and type of egusi determine its price. We have egusi of N38,000, N45,000 and we have the one of N55,000 either egusi (Hand peel or machine). A bag of ogbono can be purchased from N85,000, N90,000 and N100,000 depending on the type and the size of the bag. But really, there is no fixed price for the goods. The price of foodstuff keeps rising especially egusi and ogbono while the cost of crayfish and dry pepper reduced a bit due to its season.?
Another businessman, who sell bags of different kinds in the market, informed that market is dry and goods are expensive coupled with poor sales and thus the purchasing power of buyer's reduced.
According to him, the price of the items increased due to the economy situation of the country.
Bags of various kind have become expensive at Berger retail market. Photo credit: Esther Odili
The dark complexioned man said: ?Almost everything in the markets has become very expensive. This is due to so many factors that influence the prices of goods positively and negatively.
?A traveling bag that was sold from N3,000 before, now goes for N6,000 while a big traveling bag depending on the space inside can be purchased from N15,000. A school bag that cost N1,500, N2,000 and N3,000 before, now goes for N2,000, N3,000 and N4,000. Same with clothes and shoes.
?The price of the goods increased by fifteen percent and this is really affecting the level of sales as buyers go affordability rather than quality.?
Traders sitting idle and looking helpless at Berger retail market, Ojodu, Logos. Photo credit: Esther Odili
The price of fruits like oranges, pineapples, and banana, pawpaw and apple had also witnessed increases with a bag of oranges being sold for between N4,000 and N6,000 from N2,500 and N4,500 in previous months.
A big bunch of banana is sold for between N400 and N600, while the price of watermelon remained fairly stable at between N300 and N400.
This is a boom period for fruit sellers in markets across the country. Photo credit: Esther Odili
Mama Chisom, a trader who sell fruits in the market attributed the rising cost of fruits to the change in weather condition, cost of purchase and carriage but revealed how encouraging business has been so far.
In her joyful mood, the fruit seller expressed satisfaction over sales in previous months and now. adding that, the patronage level is improving on a daily basis.
She said: ?This is the period we make cool cash. Because, Muslim faithfuls cannot do without us for a period of one month. Before and now, sales has been encouraging. although, some fruit are expensive and others scarce due to their season, but we are making sales and we are happy.?
At Mile 12 market, fresh tomatoes and pepper have become expensive as observed in the market lately. Tomatoes that was sold at N100 before is now sold for N200 and traders no longer sell tomatoes from N50. The traders attribute this to the scarcity of produce, the season and the fasting period.
Tomatoes, pepper, vegetable continues to rise in markets across Lagos state. Photo credit: Esther odili
?A basket of tomato that goes for N8,000 before, now goes for N15,000 upward while the big bag of pepper can be purchased from N12,000. But for onions, it is relatively cheap. We sell tomatoes from N100 and above, but pepper and onion are sold from N50.
?A bag of dry and old onions cost N 25,000 as against its old price of N30,000 upwards. While a bag of new onions can be purchased between N18,000 and N25,000: depending on the particular market day. Because, sometimes things are affordable on a particular day in the market and at other days, it will be expensive.
?Tomato and pepper have become very expensive now, this is due to its change in season. Just like we have new yam come up by the 2nd quarter of the year, same goes for some goods in the market.
"The size of the basket, the size of the bag and the market location often determine the price of the goods,? Iya Zainab, a tomato seller at the market told NAIJ.com correspondent.
Market situation is worse, as described by traders' in markets across Lagos state. Photo credit: Esther Odili
Interestingly, the government is unrelenting in its efforts to restore the economy but this period, the traders expected a positive outcome in the cost of goods.
Mama Bose, who sells fish in the market, told NAIJ.com that the price of a 20kg carton of Titus fish had increased from N16,000 last week to N18,000 while a carton of small panla fish cost N8,500 as against its old price of N7,000.
She attributed the hike to the fluctuating price of the exchange rate and the cost of transportation.
Children wears, ladies handbags, shoes, phone accessories have experienced an increment in prices. Photo credit: Esther Odili
?We sell base on the cost of purchase. And recently, the price of fish (panla, Titus, kote and croaker fish) have risen by about ten percent. We have different types and their prices are determined by the type, the content in the carton and the market location.
?Now, the cost of purchase is high and the most difficult part of the situation is that we experience low sales as we end up selling below the cost price,? the mother of three explained to NAIJ.com.
Despite the availability of produce, traders' decry low patronage. Photo credit: Esther Odili
Similarly, other commodities have experienced an upswing in prices across the state findings revealed.
However, traders? appealed to relevant authorities, to look for ways on how to im¬prove the worsening economic situation for the benefit of all.
Market Survey: We now drink garri even though we hustle hard - market women via NAIJ.com TV
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Prices of tomatoes, pepper, soar in Lagos markets ahead of Ramadan
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