The Nation Newspaper

Tag: foodstuff

  • Prices of foodstuff increase in Ibadan

    Prices of foodstuffs in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have increased as Ramadan begins.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commodities affected by the price rise include perishable and non-perishable ones.

    A NAN survey in two major markets in the Ibadan metropolis – Oja Oba and Bodija – showed that the increase in price resulted in reduced purchases, as traders complain of poor patronage.

    Staple foods, such as `garri’, beans, millet, corn, vegetables and yam were affected by the price increase.

    However, the prices of rice, vegetable oil, palm oil, meat, onions, tomatoes and salt remain stable.

    Also, prices of fruits and beverages are stable.

    At the Oja Oba Market, a measure of bean, which formerly sold for N250, now costs N350.

    A measure of `garri’, which had been selling for between N100 and N120, now goes for between N150 and N200.

    Also, a measure of corn, which was sold for N150 last week, now costs N200, while a measure of millet that sold for N200 is now selling for N300.

    At the Bodija Market, five tubers of yam, which formerly sold for N800, now go for N1, 500.

    Mrs Fatima Lukman, who sells rice and beans at the Bodija Market, attributed the increase to alleged killing of some traders in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram members.

    According to her, many traders in Ibadan have stopped going to the state to buy beans and some other foodstuffs.

    Mrs Idayatu Sanni, who sells rice at Oja Oba Market, told NAN that the price of the commodity had remained relatively stable.

    According to her, a 50kg bag of long grain rice is being sold for between N10,000 and N12,000.

    She said, the price of a 50kg bag of short grain rice reduced from between N8,000 and N9,000 to between N7, 500 and N8,000.

    NAN reports that the price of vegetable oil also reduced as 25 litres of the product now sells for N6,000 instead of N6, 500. (NAN)

  • High prices of livestock, foodstuff herald Sallah

    High prices of livestock, foodstuff herald Sallah

    Id-Al-Adha is a season of celebration observed by Muslims by slaughtering rams and preparing various delicacies.

    With this year’s Sallah festival, the country is battling with challenges such as scarcity of fuel and increase in transport fare as well as high prices of foodstuffs and livestock. People are facing so much difficulty in getting their rams and foodstuffs for the celebration.

    Ram is the major livestock used for the Sallah celebration and due to the increase in the price of fuel resulting in scarcity, it has been difficult to transport the item from neighbouring countries, such as Niger Republic without increase in their prices.

    A ram that cost N35, 000 last year is now N60,000. Bad roads has also contributed to the increase in prices of ram since truck owners charge exorbitant fares to convey them from Kano to other places.

    Mallams in Kano complained that the recent floods have washed away or killed their rams meant for sales for the festival. This has resulted in increase in the prices of rams.

    The abattoir at Berger bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is popularly known for sales of livestock, especially during the Sallah season, but buyers have been complaining about the high cost of ram.

    A butcher, Yusuf Abdullah, said there have not been customers to purchase ram because of the rise in prices. He said he had to sell a ram of N50, 000 last year for N90,000 this year because of the challenges the country is facing.

    Mr Musibau Oladele, a buyer at the ram market at Oke-Afa Bridge, Isolo, Lagos, said that a ram he bought for N40,000 last year has now been increased to N85,000. Also, at the Owode Ram Market, near Mile 12, Lagos, the price of ram range from N70,000 to N150,000.

    It is not just the cost of ram that has increased, but also the prices of foodstuffs, such as fresh tomatoes, rice, onions and groundnut oil. A basket of tomato was between N8,000 and N10,000. But now costs N40,000. The medium basket formerly N500 is now N800.

    Mrs Titilope Ajanaku, a buyer at Mushin market, said the rate of the increase in price of fresh tomatoes is alarming. She stated that as at last month she still bought a small size basket of tomatoes for N150 but now it is N400.

    Mrs Kikelomo Badmus, a trader at the popular foodstuff Daleko market, said the increase in sales of foodstuffs was due to the Sallah celebration, which increased the demand for food items. She said a bag of rice that was formerly N8,000 to N10,000 now costs between N15,000 and N20,000 depending on the quality.

    Other markets where rams could be bought are Alabarago market along the Lagos Badagry Express Way, Lagos, Costain and Ketu Alapere markets by Ikorodu road, Lagos.

    Mr Abddul Azeez who trades in livestock on Kumuyi Street at Ojuwoye market, Mushin, Lagos, said: “The prize of ram ranges from N30,000 to N50,000, but the prize of cow is higher, ranging from N80,000 to N100,000 depending on the size. It is a bit more costly this year. But you know, it is something we cannot do without this festive period. It is a very lucrative business but a seasonal one. People have taken advantage of the festivity to nurture the livestock for some months before the Sallah to make them look healthier and more robust. It is expected of Muslim faithful to share the items with neighbours, friends and well wishers.