– Prices of perishable goods soar in various markets across the state
– A survey conducted by ZENITHBLOG.com at Olowo Odikan market, Agric, Lagos, reveals the rise in perishable goods like tomatoes, pepper, fish and basic foodstuff items
– Traders opined that the economic situation is not a determinant but the scarcity of the goods
– Buyers informed that the scarcity of these food items has affected the purchase of their daily diet
The prices of perishable goods (especially tomatoes) have continued to soar in various markets across Lagos state, ZENITHBLOG.com findings have revealed.
According to a recent survey, the sudden disappearance of the items is as a result of scarcity and the outbreak of the tomato pest that has rendered the major producing states helpless.
While consumers are contending with the continuous rise in the price of goods, traders’ laments low supply of some basic food items which has affected the profit margin of the market.
Although the country is crawling out of recession gradually, the state of the economy (according to many) is rather pathetic. Traders believe the present administration is behind the current state of the economy while others noted that the country needs a rehab and this will take time and a long process.
A young girl hawking on the streets of Lagos. Prices of fish have also soared in the market.
A rice dealer at the market identified as Uzor, informed that the prices of items like rice, beans, garri, semolina, wheat and others continue to fluctuate while others remain at reasonable rates.
He added that the low supply of the goods and the fluctuation in the naira and dollar rate affected the price of the imported goods lately.
According to him: “For rice, it was sold at a reduced price prior to this period but now it has risen to about N18,000 per bag. A bag of Agric rice that cost N15,000 in previous weeks now goes for N17,000 upwards; depending on the market location.
“Also, a bag of Garri (white) that goes for N14,000 before has risen to N19,000. While a bag of Garri (Yellow) now cost N16,000. Same goes with beans. A bag of beans (Oloyin, Olootu and Oloone) that ranges from N34,000 upwards, now goes cost between N42,000 and N48,000 respectively. This has affected the purchasing power of the consumers.”
At the market, the prices of foodstuff items soared by 30 percent. Traders attributed this to the reviving state of the economy which has led to the fluctuating price of goods in the market.
A trader identified as Chris, told our correspondent that the price of foodstuff items is not only influenced by the current state of the economy but the economic policy on importation is a huge determinant.
He said: “The current rise and fall in the price of Egusi, Ogbono, crayfish and pepper has affected the traders as well as the buyers. Their purchasing power has been affected and the buyers laments of the increase in the price. Ogbono especially keeps fluctuating, same goes for crayfish. While that of egusi rose up by 15 percent and sold at an affordable price due to its availability. A bag of Ogbono that goes for N110,000 in previous weeks had risen to about N120,000 upwards, this is for good, fresh and ogbono that will draw well when prepared.
“For Egusi, a bag ranges from N45,000 upwards, reason is because there are other types of Egusi that are cheaper and better than the popular Egusi. But buyers are ignorant and therefore, the popular ones that are of a high demand are only sold at an expensive rate. In addition, the price of crayfish is influenced greatly by its scarcity and non-availability of the item.
“Buyers have been complaining bitterly that crayfish is preferred by many to prepare good dishes but the price now is alarming. Even the ones that are sold at an affordable price are not weighty, but so light that it is not seen in dishes prepared.”
In similar vein, the prices of perishable items like tomato, vegetable oil, ice fish and chicken have risen by ten percent and traders blamed the recent hike in the price of the items to the ban placed on imported items and the cost of transporting the goods to major markets.
Further checks by ZENITHBLOG.com revealed that prices of locally produced goods that were sold at a reduced price have increased drastically.
Traders at the market explained to our correspondent the reason for the soaring prices.
Cynthia, a trader who sells items like vegetable oil, palm oil and other dealers at the market informed that there was a slight increase in the price of food items which is the norm in market situations.
The prices of groundnut oil and palm oil have been fair but this depends greatly on the traders’ decision, market forces and the amount at which the goods were purchased.
“While many were of the notion that the present presidents’ trip is affecting the economy, others say the trip does not have anything to do with the price of goods in the market. The president’s trip is necessary and not a determinant factor on the prices of goods.
“Notwithstanding, the amount spent on his trip is from the Nation’s purse but only the foolish ones will say the trip is affecting our economy. When a country does not have manufacturing firm but keeps buying from other countries, then the economy will be crawling,” she said.
A seller at the market identified as Mama Tinu explained to ZENITHBLOG.com what led to the scarcity of perishable goods lately.
She said: “The recent price of perishable goods in the market is not only influenced by the economic situation in the market, but as a result of the scarcity of the items. Recently, the price of tomatoes increased and that of chilli pepper, but onion is affordable and available. We have different types of tomatoes.
“There are some that become watery when you use it to prepare soups. While the good ones become thick when used to prepare meal especially stews. But with the scarcity of good and fresh tomatoes, buyers have opt for others ways of preparing meal. It is like a norm for people to eat rice with stew but now, because tomatoes have become so expensive, they prefer vegetables soup with rice.
“A basket of tomatoes that goes for N5,000, N6,000, N7,000 and even N8,000 have risen to N10,000 upwards. And this depends on the market location and the cost of purchase by the seller. But at major markets, it is affordable and available.
“Also, the Hausa tomatoes and Ghana tomatoes are more expensive because of the tomato disease that has spread around the states where tomatoes are planted. This has therefore affected its availability. A basket of chilli pepper that goes for N9,000 big bag, have risen to N13,000 upwards.
“For onions, there are different types of onions and the prices ranges. There are baskets that cost N6,000, N7,000, N8,000 and above but the popular one that are used for delicacy are usually very expensive but not scared. We have the white onion, the brown onions, the reddish onion and the popular onion that is also white in neither white nor brown. And the price of the bag is determined by the size of the bag and choice of the trader.”
Semovita has also experienced about 70 per cent rise in price from N200 for the 1kg bag, to N370; while a 1kg bag of processed wheat has doubled to N280 from N140 at the beginning of the year; garri has also recorded 100 per cent increase within the same period.
A buyer at the market, who pleaded anonymity, informed our correspondent that the rising price of goods has affected their daily diet.
According to her, they do not eat healthy meals again because it has become very expensive. As foodstuff items have become difficult for the average Nigerian to purchase.
“Healthy diet has become a serious business. Due to the hike in the prices of goods, we no longer eat healthy food now, because it has become very expensive and we cannot afford it as usual. Now we only eat to fill up our stomach. The ordinary man cannot feed well again,” she lamented.
For imported vegetable oil, a 25-litre container of the product imported was being sold for N15,000 and above instead of N13,500 in previous months, while 25 litres of palm oil attracted N14,500,000 upwards instead of N13,000.
A wholesale trader of fish at the market, Mrs. Bose, explained that a carton of Kote and Titus fish cost between N18,000 and N27,000. As against its previous price of N15,000 and N23,000. However, this price was due to the rise in inflation that led to the increase in the prices transport fares by road, fuel and lubricants as well as market forces.
The inflation rate had been experiencing an upward swing in the last Eight months, a development that has become worrisome for the traders and also the buyers. The implication therefore, is that consumers will experience tougher times ahead due to the reduction in their purchasing power.
Although, the prices of essential goods, fruits, wares, building materials and manufacturing equipment have increased significantly in accordance with the rising level of inflation in the country. Some believed the acting president will turn the tide and the proposed change will be evident while others have totally lost hope in the present administration.
Below is our weekly table of changes in price of goods before and now:
ZENITHBLOG Weekly Price Check: Buyers in confusion over prices of goods
0naze
No comments:
Post a Comment