Price of basic food items have increased in most markets in Lagos as the Muslims fasting period (Ramadan) begins.The Ramadan will last for 30 days from 10 July, 2013.
Reports show the price of fruits and other basic food items like beans, yam, pepper, tomatoes, oranges and water melons have increased.A survey carried out in markets in Mile 12, Oyingbo, Oshodi and Ojuwoye in Mushin where food items are mostly sold, showed that prices of goods have increased by nearly same percentage.
A small-sized tin of beans, which was between N180 and N200 last week, has increased to N300.A medium-sized basket of tomatoes, which before now went for N6,000 is now N12,000.The price of a five-litre keg of palm oil has also increased from N1,000 to N1,400, while the 10-litre keg has increased from N2,000 to N2,300.
A foodstuffs seller, Mrs. Rukayat Abiodun, said that she could only buy half bags of rice and beans to resell instead of the two bags she had been buying weekly.
“It is because of Ramadan that food items are expensive and it is usually like that. Since most of our foodstuffs come from the North, so it is the price they sell to us that we buy and resell,” Abiodun said.
Mrs. Taibat Borokini, the Secretary, Ojuwoye Market, Mushin, attributed the recent increase in prices of foods to insecurity in the North.
Borokini disclosed that many people had been complaining about the increase in the price of basic food items.
She said that most food items like pepper, tomatoes, cows, goats, onions, ginger were brought from the North, adding that the security situation in the North had made things difficult.
A customer, Mrs. Beatrice Akudo, expressed displeasure at the hike in the price of foods as a result of the forthcoming Ramadan.
“Every time the Ramadan is approaching, food items will begin to increase, while some of the items will become unaffordable.
“Medical practitioners always advise us to take fruits and balanced diet, but when you get to the market you can’t afford it.
“A small size of pineapple that went for N100 is now N200,” Akudo stated.
via nigerianeye
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