The surge in the prices of some major foods items, including fruits, due to the Ramadan fasting and the effects of violence in some northern areas of the country has become a source of worry for Nigerians.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the prices of some staple foods had recorded over100 per cent increase in recent times.
For instance, the price of a bunch of banana, had increased from N800 before the commencement of the Ramadan fasting to N1,500 in most markets in Lagos, representing an increase of 87.5 per cent, while 12 pieces of orange, which sold for N700 a month ago, is now selling for N1,200, representing 71 per cent.
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A visit to the Mile 12 Market showed that a carton of apple, which consists of 200 pieces, which sold for N8,000 before the Ramadan, now sells for N10,000, while the same quantity of water melon, which was selling for N1,200 about three weeks ago, is now selling for N2,000.
It was gathered that a sack of lime, which formerly sold for N1,000, was now being sold for N2,000, representing an increase of 100 per cent.
The price of pawpaw also recorded an increase of 100 per cent as a dozen of the fruit, which sold for N1,000 a month ago, had risen to N2,000. The price of a dozen golden melon also rose by 233 per cent to N4,000 from N1,200 in the same period.
Food prices have also recorded significant price increases. For instance, a bag of rice rose from N9,800 before the fasting period to N11,000 presently, while a bag of beans now sells for N26,000 compared to the N20,000 it sold for three weeks ago.
Traders at the Mile 12 Market told our correspondent that the Ramadan was majorly responsible for the recent surge in the prices of fruits and other food items.
A trader, who identified herself as Mrs. Tawa Adeolu, said, “There is nothing we can do about it. We have to increase the prices we sell to retailers because the prices we buy from the distributors have been increasing too.
“We all know that during Ramadan, the prices of fruits go up because the farmers know that this is the time to make good profits.”
A pepper seller at the Adaranijo Market, Pedro, Lagos, Alhaji Tanko Mohammed, said it was becoming increasingly hard to get some food items from the North to the South West.
He said, “Our people face problems getting their goods from the North to this side. They encounter problems from even policemen who are supposed to be protecting us.
“The Ramadan too is responsible for the price increase because of high demand.”
Customers, however, complained that the prices were too high, saying that some of the increases were unnecessary.
A shopper at the Oke Arin Market, Lagos Island, who simply identified herself as Chinwe, said, “We know that food prices go up during this period, but some of the increases are uncalled for. The sellers are capitalising on this period thereby, making excessive profits.”
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