Traders make brisk business as food prices soar

In Markudi, Benue state, market survey indicated an upward rise in prices of various food items sold at major markets.At the Wadata cattle market, an average size cow, which before now was sold for N70, 000 or N75,000 sells for as much as between N100, 000 and N120,000, while a smaller that used to be […]

In Markudi, Benue state, market survey indicated an upward rise in prices of various food items sold at major markets.
At the Wadata cattle market, an average size cow, which before now was sold for N70, 000 or N75,000 sells for as much as between N100, 000 and N120,000, while a smaller that used to be sold for N50, 000 is now at the rate of N72,000.
A turkey which formally sold for between N5,000 and N6, 000 now sells between N13,000 and N14,000, just as native chicken has risen to N2,500 against the former price of N800.
A seller, Haruna Abdul who doubles as Sarkin Kaza in Benue state, attributed the hike in prices of such items to next week’s Christmas celebration. “The prices of chicken, turkey or any other meat have increased because of Christmas,” he said.
At the Makurdi modern market, a goat which was sold few weeks ago at the cost of 7, 000 is now given out for N10,000, just as chicken now goes for between N3,000 and N3, 500 against the old price of N1800 and N2000.
In the same vein, a 50 Kg of Stallion Gold bag of rice which used to cost N10, 000 now sells for as much as N12, 700 and there are.
A buyer, Mrs. Ehi Okpe lamented that.
This year, the increase in prices of food items is just too much. It’s over 100 percent and I’m sure in the few days ahead, the cost of the commodities would still witness a sharp upward trend,” Okpe added.
In neighbouring Nasarawa state, our correspondent reports that at the Central Market in Lafia,  the situation is the same.
Shitu Jibrin, Chairman, Vegetable Sellers Association, said a bag of onions go for between N9,000 and N11,000, while a basket of tomatoes costs between N2,500 and N3,000. The Jos pepper increased from N5,500 to N6,500.
Yahaya Maiwake, Bakin Kasuwan Lafia, said beans go for between N15,000 and N20,000 per bag. While a measure (mudu) goes for N300. The local rice is sold N200 per mudu, while foreign rice goes for N350.
Tijjani Shaibu Maina, Sarkin Kajin Lafia, said full grown local chicken now goes for between N3,500 and N4,000, while full grown agric chicken sells for between N4,000 and N5000. An average turkey goes for between N10,000 and N15,000.
At the Shinge Livestock Market, Alhaji Danlami Kowanaka, said a full grown cow goes for between N140,000 and N150,000; goat goes for between N20,000 and N50,000 and ram sells between N60,000 and N70,000.
In Jos, Plateau State, our correspondent reports that vegetable, grains and livestock prices are yet to be increased but there indications that they would.
5O kg bag of rice was selling between N8,500 and N11,500 depending on the quality; while 25 kg was going for between N5,000 and N6,000 depending on quality.
A bag of beans (100 kg) was selling at prices ranging from N12,000 to N19,000 depending on the grain sizes (small or big), and variety (red or white). For vegetable oil, price was said to have been fluctuating, but as at Tuesday, a 25-litre container of vegetable oil was going for N7,000.
At nearby Yan Doya Market, prices of yam had risen by yesterday. One Alhaji Uba Maidoya who explained the reason, said quantity of yam in markets had decreased because many suppliers of the produce had gone on Christmas break. He said a set of 100 tubers that they were getting at N10,000 now costs N12,000.
Prices of chicken and turkey at Yan Kaji, a popular chicken market in Jos, were said yesterday not to have changed, with a seller, Aminu Abdul explaining that Christmas rush for the items had not started.
‘Home breed’ chickens were said to be selling at between N1,000 and N1,500 each; while agric breed in three different categories: moderate, big and layers were put at N1,000 – N1,500, N3,000 and N1,000 respectively.
For turkey, local breeds were selling at between N7,000 and N8,000, while agric turkey, usually said to be well fattened was attracting N25,000 each.
Price of tomato, onions and pepper at Farin Gada, Jos town’s biggest vegetable market, were low following high production of the vegetables this season. Big, medium and small baskets of tomato had price tags of N1,000; N500 and N300 respectively.
At Yan Shanu, the biggest cattle market in Jos, fattened cows cost as much as N250,000; with smaller ones going for about N120,000. A seller at the market, Tijani Muhammed, said prices of goat ranged between N5,000 and N20,000 depending on size.
The Plateau State Secretary of Butchers Association, Rabiu Mohammed, who said that prices of meat have not increased, said one Kg of beef is between N800 and N900, depending on the quality. He said this had been the price for a long time.
In minna, Niger State, prices of foodstuffs and other items slightly increased whereas prices of other commodities dropped.
A survey conducted in Kure Central Market, Minna, revealed that a 50kg bag of Thailand rice that used to cost N10,000 in the last one month is now N11,000, turkey oil that was N1000 is now N13,00, while a packet of seasoning cube sold at N250 is now N260.
Also, a measure of beans sold at N250 is now N300, a small container of tomatoes that was N100 now sells for N120. The same size container of pepper which sold at the cost of N100, the price remained same and a medium size basket of onions that cost N800 before  now sold at N1,000.
Market survey by Daily Trust at Jimeta Main Market and Kasuwan Gwari in Yola also revealed upward trend in prices of foodstuffs as observed in other areas.
In Owerri, Imo State, some breads of goat sell for between N15,000 to  N30,000, while others sell for between N18,000 and N40,000. A cow sells between N80,000 and N150,000 depending on the size.
A bag Thailand rice such as Royale and Mama Africa sell for N13,000, while Gold cap costs N13,000. Broilers go for between N1,400 and  N4,000, while turkey sells for N2,500 and N15,000 depending on the breed.