As the country celebrates its 60th Independence anniversary, Nigerians continue to grapple with the persistent increase in prices of household food items as rice, vegetable oil, flour, tomatoes, onions and frozen food items recorded significant increase in price.
According to survey, a big bag of round shaped tomatoes spiked by 16.7 per cent to sell for an average of N14,000 compared to N12,000 recorded a fortnight ago. Also, a cartoon of frozen Chicken that was initially sold for an average of N13,000 now sells for N14,000.
On the flip side, a 50kg bag of Mama Gold Flour which endured a sudden increase two weeks ago to N16,500 now sells for an average of N14,125.
A 50kg bag of Mama’s Pride rice increased by 3 per cent to sell for an average of N25,500 compared to an initial average of N24,750. Also, a 50kg bag of foreign rice (Mama Gold) rice sells for an average of N29,750. This indicates a 3 per cent increase compared to N28,875 recorded earlier in September.
A 50kg bag of Royal Stallion (Foreign rice) also increased by 1.1 per cent. Selling for an average of N30,333 as against N30,000 earlier reported.
A 70g carton of Golden Penny noodles recorded an 8.47 per cent increase in price to sell for an average of N1,600 compared to N1,475 recorded two weeks ago. A 5 litres gallon of local vegetable oil that was sold for an average of N2,750 two weeks ago now sells for N3,100 indicating a 12.7 per cent increase in price.
Also, a 25 litres gallon increased by 4.84 per cent to sell for an average of N14,625 from initial average N13,950. A big basket of round shaped tomatoes increased by 16.7 per cent to sell for an average of N14,000 as against N12,000 recorded two weeks ago.
A medium-sized basket of round shaped tomatoes also increased by 21.4 per cent to sell for an average of N8,500 compared to an initial average of N7,000.
A big basket of oval-shaped tomatoes now sells for an average of N16,000 representing an 100 per cent increase in price. A carton of full chicken sells for an average of N14,000 compared to an initial average of N13,000. The frozen food item increased by 7.7 per cent.
While the price of a carton of chicken laps, also increased by 7.7 per cent to sell for an average of N14,000. A big bag of dry onion now sell for an average of N37,500, increasing by 7.9 per cent from an initial average of N34,750.
A baker at Oyingbo market, Alhaji Akeem Ladoja said the increase in the price of flour, is really affecting bakers. “We bought a bag of flour for N11,000 before lockdown, now we are forced to buy for as high as N14,000 while we also buy 25 litres gallon of vegetable oil for an average of N15,000 despite the fact that we cannot increase the price of our goods so as not to discourage buyers”.
He stated further that the increase in price of flour is affecting their ability to make profit and grow their businesses.
