Yuletide: Lagos, Osun, Kaduna traders decry low patronage as prices of food skyrocket

..Residents seek alternatives as food, chicken prices surge

…Traders blame high transportation costs for skyrocketing livestock prices

.By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo and Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

As the festive season approaches, traders in Lagos, Osun, and Kaduna are expressing deep concern over a decline in patronage, as soaring food prices dampen the usual holiday spirit.

With the prices of essential goods skyrocketing, many Nigerians are struggling to cope with the increasing cost of living, which is affecting both consumers and business owners alike. Amid this economic pressure, the Yuletide season is proving to be more challenging than ever.

At Ile-Epo Market in Lagos, traders voiced their concerns about the skyrocketing prices of essential goods, which they claimed had never been this high in their entire trading lives.

A trader named Nkechi lamented, “Last year, I could buy a chicken for N15,000, but now, it’s going for N35,000! It’s unbelievable. The only ones I can find for N15,000 are the older layers, and they’re not as good for cooking.”

At Oja Oba Market, another trader, Chijioke, shared his frustrations: “A 25-litre container of vegetable oil, which used to be about N30,000, is now going for N86,000 to N95,000 depending on the brand. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to afford these basics.”

Meanwhile, at the same market, Mariam, a seller of grains, pointed out the sharp rise in the cost of other foodstuffs.

“Garri has gone up to N56,000, and the special Ijebu Garri is priced at N58,000. These prices are crippling families. Even things like a carton of satchel tomatoes, which used to sell for N5,000, now range from N8,800 to N9,200. How do we survive with this inflation?”

The traders also raised concerns about the soaring prices of other staples. A pack of spaghetti now costs around N23,000, while 70 grams of noodles have increased to N9,800 to N10,500.

“It’s the same story with spices,” Mariam continued, “A roll of curry or thyme is now N550, and onions have become so expensive, with small bulbs selling for up to N200 each.”

Similarly, traders in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, are lamenting low patronage as the price of a 6kg chicken now sells for N50,000. Our correspondent, who visited several major markets in Osogbo, gathered that the price of a 6kg chicken has increased by N20,000 to N25,000 compared to last year’s price.

Speaking with Newsdirect, one of the traders, Mr. Olusola Olayinka, said that a 6kg chicken was sold at N25,000 in 2023, and a 6-month-old female turkey was sold for N60,000.

Olayinka said he is now selling a 6-month-old female turkey at N90,000, and a male turkey at N140,000, compared to N75,000 last year.

He attributed the high cost of livestock to increases in feeding and transportation.

“I want to appeal to the government to address the root causes of the price increase. First, consider fuel, then tax, as all these factors affect commodities and products. For instance, I came all the way from Ikirun, so you can imagine the distance and fuel costs from Ikirun to Akindeko Market here in Osogbo. They should find a solution to this issue.”

Also speaking, Ajoke Abokede, a pepper seller at Olu-ode Market, said there is no sign of the festive season yet, noting that the few people who are buying tomatoes are not purchasing them in large quantities.

She said, “There is no sign of preparation for the festival, and today is December 23rd. We are hoping that people will come out and start buying soon.”

In Kaduna, residents have expressed their intention to celebrate this year’s Christmas based on their financial capabilities, as prices of essential food items continue to soar.

During a market survey on Monday, many lamented their inability to keep up with the rising costs of goods. Nigerian NewsDirect gathered at Kaduna Central Market that the price of a 50kg bag of Nigerian rice now ranges between N94,000 and N96,000, compared to N50,000 last year.

The cost of poultry has also surged, with 14-week-old chickens now selling for between N20,000 and N25,000, while seven-week-old birds are priced between N12,000 and N16,000, up from N7,000 last year.

At Kaduna’s Bakin-dogo Market, the cost of stew ingredients has also seen a steep rise. A basket of tomatoes now sells for between N35,000 and N45,000, depending on the variety. However, there has been some relief in the price of onions, with a bag now selling for N270,000, down from N300,000 and above, as new onions flood the market.

A tomato seller, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, explained the challenges traders face. He noted that patronage is low because of the price, adding that the majority of buyers only purchase in small quantities.

Similarly, Mallam Hamisu, an onion dealer, expressed gratitude for the slight reduction in prices, saying, “Alhamdulillah.”

Mrs. Tosin, a poultry farmer, attributed the hike in chicken prices to the rising cost of poultry feed. She revealed that a 25kg bag of feed now sells at N25,000, compared to N15,000 last year, making it difficult for many farmers to sustain their businesses.

From the buyers’ perspective, Mrs. Peace Benjamin expressed her struggle to adjust to the new market realities. Meanwhile, another resident, Thomas Ruben, maintained a positive outlook, stating that Christmas is not a do-or-die affair.

He emphasised that he would celebrate the season with whatever he could afford, even if it meant opting for fish or beef instead of chicken.

Despite the economic challenges, Nigerians remain resilient, finding ways to adapt and make the most of the Christmas celebration, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, born in a manger as the Saviour of the world. This festive season, observed globally on December 25th, remains a cherished tradition.

This has not come without grumbling, however, as Nigerians have voiced their deep frustration over the soaring prices of food items, warning that the current economic situation in the country will severely impact their ability to celebrate the upcoming holidays.

As prices of everyday essentials continue to rise, many fear that the ongoing inflation will make it difficult for families to afford even basic meals.

“I’ve never seen it this bad in my entire life. Food prices have tripled, and it’s going to affect how we celebrate the holidays. A simple family gathering is becoming a luxury we can no longer afford. The government must do something now,” said Adebayo, a trader in Balogun Market.

Chika, a mother of three from Ikeja, echoed Adebayo’s sentiments. “How do I explain to my children that we can’t even afford a decent meal during Christmas? Prices for rice, chicken, and even garri are outrageous. Last year, I bought a chicken for N15,000, but now it’s N35,000. It’s unbearable.”

At the same time, Nkechi, a teacher, expressed her concerns about the growing economic hardship.

She said, “I used to look forward to celebrating with my family, but with the prices of food items like vegetable oil now going for nearly N100,000, how can we even prepare a proper meal? This is not the Nigeria we used to know.”

Meanwhile, Usman, a civil servant in Abuja, warned that the rising cost of living was pushing many Nigerians to their breaking point.

“People are struggling just to survive. Basic necessities are becoming luxuries. We need our leaders, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take decisive action before it’s too late,” he noted.

Also, Fatimah, a Lagos-based entrepreneur, appealed directly to the President.

“We voted for change, but this situation is worse than ever. We need urgent solutions to this economic crisis. The cost of living is unbearable for most Nigerians, and it’s affecting all aspects of our lives, including celebrations,” she added.