By Muhammad Aliyu
Dutse
As Christians mark Christmas today, prices of major food items remains stable as there are fewer buyers in major markets across Jigawa state.
A survey by our reporter revealed that low sales and stable prices, compared to previous years, where increase in prices of major food items, were recorded.
It was learnt that the development may not be unconnected to the non-payment of December salary to workers, a situation which is the same in almost, every state of the federation.
As at the time of filling this report, a bag of rice was sold at between N8,500 and N13,000 in the state capital, Dutse, depending on the brand, while prices of groundnut oil remain stable in the same market.
Similarly, the cost of livestock from remained between N900 and N1,200 and even N3,500 depending on the size, while the price of a small basket of tomatoe and pepper sold for N800 and N2, 000, respectively.
Commenting on the development, Musa Mai, a tomato seller told blueprint that he was selling the times at a lost as a result of low patronages.
“Customers are not coming as before and because of that, farmers are forced to bring down their prices”, he said.
Despite this, Mai said, sales were still low and also attributed the situation to people, who had travelled to their home towns for the celebration.
