By Mike Adeyemi
Prices of food items have gone up in major markets in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as Muslims began to shop for the forthcoming Eid- l- Fitr celebration.
A market survey conducted by our reporter revealed that prices of commodities like beverages, foodstuffs and frozen foods have increased.
During visits to major markets in the metropolis such as Mandate, Ipata, Obbo Road, Yoruba Road and Oja Tuntun markets, it was observed that the cost of rice, beans, catfish, potatoes, sugar and vegetable oil, among others have gone up.
Some traders, who spoke to this medium noted that the prices of commodities have been fluctuating over a long period of time.
At mandate market, Abdulkareem Yusuf said a bag of rice(short grain) which was sold for N24,500 a weeks ago, now costs N25,500, while price of the long grain remains the same at N26,000.
“A bowl of long grain of rice now cost N750 as against N600 its previous selling price while short grain rice of same measure, which was sold at N680 before now cost N700.
“A bag of beans (white) before now cost N45,000, but has increased to N47,000. The price of bag of red beans has increased from N50,000 to N52,000,” Yusuf said.
He added that the cost of a bag of Gari has gone up from N32, 000 to M35,000.
Findings also revealed that a 25 litre of groundnut oil now costs N20, 600 as against N19, 200 few weeks ago, while the same quantity of palm oil now sells for N14,500 instead of N13, 000.
A tray of evaporated milk, which sold for N8,000 has risen to N9,200.
Another trader at Obo road market, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Aro said a basket of bell pepper which cost N10,000 before is now sold for N12,000.
“A small basket of tomatoes which costs N1, 500 before now, is sold for N2, 000. A basket of pepper which we used to sell for N1,600 now costs N2,000. Tatase has risen from N1,200 to N2,000. Small basket of onions sold for N700 now goes for N1,000, ” the pepper seller stated.
This medium also gathered that the price of a kilogramme of catfish increased from N850 to N950, while a medium-sized chicken now goes for N3, 500 as against N2,500.
While speaking on the hike in price, a trader, Aminu Adamu said, “The fact of the matter is that people are taking advantage of the high demand for the commodities.”
Meanwhile, some customers who spoke to this medium appealed to the traders not to increase the prices of food items for undue profits during the festive period.
