NAIJ Weekly Price Check: Price of rice, garri drops just 7 days before Christmas as demand for weave-ons, clothes increases

- Ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, the price of some commodities continues to crash and while some remain stable others continue to rise

- A survey conducted by NAIJ.com at Mile 12 market, Lagos reveals a reduction in the price of rice, garri, onion and foodstuff items like crayfish, egusi , dry pepper and ogbono.

- Traders in major markets in the country especially in Lagos, lament low patronage even as prices of goods and other household items take the unusual dimension of reduction

Christmas is celebrated worldwide to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a season of pleasurable spending including exchange of gifts to dear ones.

Many see the yuletide as an opportunity for them to purchase new items such as clothes and footwares among others, including visits to recreational places.

Traders in major markets in the country especially in Lagos are lamenting low patronage even as prices of foodstuffs and other household goods take the unusual dimension of reduction.

The price of some commodities continues to crash and while some remain stable others continues to rise as the yuletide season approaches.

A survey conducted by NAIJ.com at Mile 12 market, Lagos reveals a reduction in the price of rice, garri, onion and foodstuff items like crayfish, egusi , dry pepper and ogbono.

In the market, a bag of rice that was sold from N19,000- N21,000 now sells for N18,000.A nylon of crayfish that cost N30,000 now sells for N26,000 while a bag of garri costs N8,000.

A trader at the market simply identified as Sunny, said the reduction in prices of beans, rice and garri was as a result of other brands of the commodities that are available for sale at a cheaper rate.

He said: "The prices of rice and other goods in the market increased before now due to economic situation of the country and most especially, naira devaluation. Now, the prices of these items are crashing gradually, this is due to its local availability apart from the ones that are imported.

READ ALSO: Nigerians rush to buy local rice as Christmas approaches

"A bag of rice that was sold for N19,000 few days ago now sells for N18,000 while the other sells from N15,000- N16,000.And a bag of garri that cost N11,000 is now available for between N8,000 and N9,000. A bag of egusi cost N32,000 now and a bag of ogbono cost N100,000 while a bag of dry pepper cost N49,000.

"For beans, we have different types of beans, and their prices is determined on how big the bag is, how fresh and neat the beans is as well as the type of beans. With the recent reduction, sales have improved a bit."

Some buyers could not afford some items; others could not even to buy as much as they needed because of the economic situation of the country, as observed in the market.

A trader at mile-12 market, Mrs Lizzy, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of sales this festive season, while also lamenting the negative impact this would have on the people.

She informed that despite the increase in the prices of foodstuffs which is like a tradition every yuletide, people still buy what they need for the festive period if the money is available.

“We all know that prices of things have skyrocketed but the truth is that there is no money in circulation. Most people are thinking of how to take care of themselves and their families because if they spend the only money they have this period, they will not be able to survive after the celebrations in a country where you cannot predict anything,” she stated.

Despite series of activities going on, traders in the market complained of low patronage as they said those who used to buy from them in large quantity now buy in fewer measures, while some have travelled ahead of Christmas celebration.

A trader known as Madam Lola, who sells livestock like turkey, chicken, guinea-fowl among others, also decried the low patronage as the celebrations draw closer, adding that the feeds she bought ahead of the celebration are yet to be sold.

According to her, the price of chicken that sells from N1,500, N2,000 and N2,500 now goes for N2,500, N3,500 upwards.

READ ALSO: NAIJ weekly price check: Price of rice, tomatoes drop EXACTLY two weeks before Christmas

According to her: "Prior to this period in the previous year, buyers are eager to purchase livestock feeds and keep till the day of celebration. But now, with the situation of things, they come, get the price and then walk away.

"Things are not the way they used to be. And it is no surprise to anyone but we never expected this as traders. Because, right now, whatever amount we spend in actual purchase, we have to resell in a reasonable price so as to make profit. But how do you sell for profit when the buyers are not willing to purchase at the market price? We hope things will not remain like this by this time next week."

Meanwhile, the prices of perishable goods like tomatoes, pepper and onion have also reduced as observed in the market, traders blamed this solely on the surplus harvest by farmers, adding that it is the season.

A tomato seller sho simply gave his name as Taye said the prices of tomatoes, pepper and onion fluctuate and can only be determined depending on the situation of the market.

He said: "There is no fixed price of these perishable goods. Often times, the prices fluctuate depending on the situation of the market. You can buy at a cheaper rate today and tomorrow, it would be a different story entirely. But there are some people in the market who are thieves they are bent on cheating the buyers. So it is advisable to enter into the market and buy directly from the traders not by-standers.

"A basket of Ghana tomatoes that cost N12,000 now sells from N7,000 while that of Hausa tomatoes sells from N4,500-N6,000 depending on its freshness and if it is not mixed with bad ones called (Esha), same goes for pepper.

"The price of onion has reduced but this is only for the new ones, as the old one is scarce and not affordable. The new one is sold for between N18,000 to N24,000. While the old one costs N38,000 and sometimes is not available in the market. But the white onion is sold from N20,000.”

Similarly, there was a boom in the sales of clothing materials as well as hair extensions like braids, wigs, relaxer, and other beauty products.

Although their prices have increased buyers cannot do without looking good.

Shoes, bags and clothes dealers have been enjoying increased patronage as a result of the season; others say sales have been dull for them.

In addition, prices of edibles and cooking ingredients have skyrocketed.

25 litres of groundnut oil that used to sell for N13,500 now sells from N16,000 upwards.

Mama Chinasa, who sells palm-oil and other ingredients, said the hike in the items has affected her sales negatively.

She said: "The market situation is not friendly for us, because a bottle of groundnut oil now costs N500 as against its old price of N300. When the oil is not sealed, it is cheap and also the keg influences the price. But a sealed 25-litre of groundnut oil costs N18,000 while the unsealed one cost N16,000.

"Lately, the price of palm-oil continues to rise, this is due to the scarcity of the product used in making oil (Palm-Kernel). 25 litres of palm-oil that was sold for N20,000 now costs N24,000 depending on the quality and the taste. As the price continues to rise, buyers are not patronizing us the way they should."

Check out our weekly table of price differences below: