Traders have also attributed the exorbitant prices to the
high rate of dollar and the restriction placed on importers
of certain food items. This week, we begin our weekly
price check by visiting some markets in Lagos.
Below are the prices of some essential food items in three
markets namely, Mile 12, Ketu and Ikosi.
Augustine Eze, a trader who sells foodstuffs like rice,
beans, garri, groundnut-oil, crayfish, egusi and ogbono
explained the price of the items to our correspondent in
details.
He said: “The price of egusi now has changed. But there is
a new one in the market which ensured that the price of
the regular ones has reduced.
“The price of the stuff has reduced due to the large
quantity of the new egusi in the market. Before now, a
paint (plastic) of egusi was sold for N1,100 but now it
costs N900. The bag which cost about N40,000 before is
now being sold at the rate of N35,000, depending on the
size of the bag (either big or small).
“For ogbono, the price increased to N120,000 per bag in
the month of May, and then it reduced to N47,000. But
due to the exchange rate of dollar now, the price has
increased to N85,000. A derica costs N1,200 as against
the N800 for which people bought in previous months.”
Speaking further, Augustine informed that crayfish has not
had any fixed price, explaining that ‘signals’ from the
people who bring crayfish from the sea determines the
amount they sell.
For instance, a paint (plastic) of the commodity was sold
for at least N2,500 but costs a reduced N1,500 presently.
He added: “A 25-litre gallon of Kings groundnut oil was
sold at N10,000 before but sells for at least N13,500
presently. Depending on the quality and the brand. The
higher the quality of the oil, the higher the price. Also 25
litres of palm oil, that was sold from N7,000 before, now
sells from N9,000.
“A bag of garri costs N7, 000 depending on the colour and
the cost of transportation. And a paint (plastic) now sells
for N600 but was sold at N350 few months ago. While a
bag of rice which was sold for about N12, 500 before, now
sells for N17, 500 depending on the brand and quality as
well.”
Meanwhile there is no fixed price for beans. He said: “We
have beans of N14, 000, N17,000, N27,000, and so on.
Sometimes the type of beans and the size of the bag
would determine the market price.
“Those who are buying paint before now buy derica or
cup. The way things are, people are managing due to
scarcity of money .”
Sade Ayanwo, who sells tomato paste and ingredients like
sauce, spices, maggi, curry and so on attributed the high
price to the rise in dollar lately.
According to her, the price of some items increased a bit
while others had gone high.
“A carton of gino tomato paste sells for N3,200 now but
before it is sold from N2, 000 and above. While other
locally produced tomato paste like ric-giko,Peppie, tasty-
tom and more is sold from N2,200 and above now but
sold at N1,800 before. This depends on the location where
it is purchase , resell, the market and the seller. And a
sachet of these tomato pastes that was sold at N40 before
now sells at N50 while the ones sold at N50 now sells at
N60.
“A pack of Knorr cubes that was sold N400 before, now
sells from N450. A carton of Spaghetti like Golden penny
that was sold for N2000 now sells from N 3,200 and
above.
“But this price sometimes is influenced by the choice of
the trader,” she added.
Meanwhile fresh tomatoes have become cheaper as
observed in the market lately but pepper remains
expensive.