Cost of transport pushes prices of fruits higher in Abuja

The recent spike in food prices has affected the prices of fruits as well. Fruits have become a popular need especially in the Ramadan fasting season.  In an interview with Malam Mohammed Yusuf, a retail fruit seller in farmers market Maitama, he stated that “A basket of Oranges is sold for N1,800 to N1,500 and […]

The recent spike in food prices has affected the prices of fruits as well. Fruits have become a popular need especially in the Ramadan fasting season. 

In an interview with Malam Mohammed Yusuf, a retail fruit seller in farmers market Maitama, he stated that “A basket of Oranges is sold for N1,800 to N1,500 and half is sold for N750 while watermelon is now sold for N1,800 and N1,500. Pineapple is also between N1,700 to N1,500.”

However, traders said reasons for the surge in prices can be articulated with a number of factors one of which is transportation cost. 

“The fruits are now scarce in the market because it is not their season; there is plenty demand for these fruits. Before the farmers bring 20 trucks sometimes 30 trucks to the market but now the trucks have reduced to 5 or 3 in most cases and different people come to buy from Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna all from these 3 trucks.

“Before one pineapple was sold for N800 or N700 but now we pay money for the vehicles to bring the fruits; we also pay for wheelbarrow, money for leather (nylon) and all that,” he said.