Consumers in Yobe react to reduction in prices of food commodities, vegetables as harvests begin
Story by Ibraheem EL-TAFSEER, Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
As the rainy season is bidding farewell and harvests begin, a noticeable decrease in prices of food items is observed in markets in Yobe State due to increased supply of commodities.
Neptune Prime correspondent visited some markets to assess the new prices and customers’ patronage.
Potiskum is considered the commercial nerve centre of Yobe State and one of the prominent towns in Nigeria in terms of agriculture. It is also a major market of grains with regular influx of farm produce during harvest season.
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Alhaji Musa Mil Biyar, Chairman, Potiskum Grains market, in an interview with our correspondent said the prices of food items have started to drop significantly due to bumper harvests.
To corroborate this assertion, one of the marketers further explained that the reduction of the prices may be temporary but could be sustained if the nation’s economy improves.
A survey conducted at the market by our correspondent reveals a significant reduction in the prices of essential food items.
New/old prices of grains
New Millet – N53,000
Old Millet – N58,000
Old Guinea Corn – N90,000
New Guinea Corn – N61,000
Sorghum – N65,000 to N70,000
Old Sorghum – N80,000
Finger Millet – new price N100,000
White Beans – N160,000 to N165,000
Brown Beans – N200,000
White beans (bigger) – N180,000
In view of the foregoing, it is also confirmed that the prices mentioned above are the same with what is obtained in markets across Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
However, in Gamawa, Yana and Giade markets, all of Bauchi state, a bag of millet is sold between N60,000 and N61,000 while a bag of White Beans goes for N150,000.
A bag of rice (Nigerian-made) ranges from N148,000 to N165,000 in neighbouring markets across Azare, also of Bauchi State.
A bag of sesame is sold at N80,000. New maize at N55,000 in Bokkos and Mangu towns of Plateau State.
In the famous Dawanau market, Kano State, a bag of new maize is between N55,500 to N56,000.
Patronage by customers
Despite the reduction in prices, Nigerians are bitterly complaining about reduced purchasing power due to low value of the naira and economic down turn which make life difficult and expensive.
Malam Muhammad Jalam Mai Gado, a customer, told Neptune Prime that, “Even though the prices of food items are relatively coming down, we, however, have no money to buy, there is no money to buy food and the attention of everyone is on how to find something to eat.
“We want the government to look into this matter so that people will be out of this hardship,” he said.
Alhaji Babangida Manya Mai Katifa, a family man, said, “Hunger is killing people. Please the president needs to bring back the fuel subsidy, it is the only way to get out of this hardship”.
Meanwhile, perishable food items like vegetables have also noticed a slight reduction in price because of the harvest season.
Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Awwal (Ali Master), chairman of vegetable sellers in Yobe State, said the current price of vegetables in the state is not the same with what was obtained some months back.
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New/old price of vegetables
New price of 1 tomato bag – N14,000.
Old price – N75,000.
A bag of red pepper – N27,000
Old price – N170,000.
1 bag of Capsicums – N14,000
Old price – N150,000
A bag of okra – N22,000
Old price – N35,000
1 bag of onion – N55,000 to N80,000
Old price – N75,000
Bag of garden egg – N8,000
Old price – N14,000
A bag of cabbage – N25,000.
Cucumber – N25,000.
A bag of carrot – N35,000
Potato (Nigerian)
Old price – N75,000
New price – N35,000.
Irish potato
Old price – N40,000
New price – N65,000.
However, consumers said they are observing to see if the reduction will be steady for a long time and if government will come to the aid of the masses in fighting hunger.
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