COVID-19 Pandemic has dealt a great blow to every nation of the world. Many people have become so poor that it has become very difficult for them to afford three-square meal daily. The reason is simple; income has been very irregular because the government declared total lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun and many state governments followed suit to curb the spread of coronavirus. The aftermath of the lockdown even as the government announced a partial and gradual easing is taking a huge toll on the economy and individuals. It has become very difficult for most people to buy food because prices have doubled and tripled. Despite the hike in these prices, City People’s BRANDS & PRODUCTS. In the article below, prices of goods were itemised as against their previous
A survey carried out by Brands & Products in different parts of Lagos and other parts of the country showed that the prices of staple items such as rice, yams and garri and bread rose by between 80 and120 per cent. However these food items are still being consumed at a very high rate despite the hike in their prices.
For instance, at the market at Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, the price for an average tuber of yam, selling for between N400 and N500 before the lockdown, has been hiked to between N1,000 and N1,200. Also a paint bucket of garri, previously sold for N500, is now selling for N1,200. Other foodstuffs like beans, plantain flour, and corn flour have equally experienced increases in their prices.
“Oga, it is not our fault for the increase in these foodstuffs. This yam (lifting up one of the big tubers on her table) comes from the market at N950. When I add transportation cost and my little profit, you don’t expect me to sell it at N1,000,” one of the traders, who identified herself as Mrs. Sherifat Kupoluyi, told BRANDS & PRODUCTS.
She said because of the movement restriction, she might not be able to restock her store. “I have almost sold my entire stock because people are rushing to buy food to keep at home; I may not be able to go to the market to refill my store as there are no vehicles on the road,” she added.
At the Ojuwoye market of Mushin Local Government Area of the state, a buyer who identified herself as Mrs Omotolani Faborode said: “How can I buy a paint bucket of garri for N1,200? Most of the sellers had the foodstuff in their store; so, I wonder what influenced their decision to increase the price. We are our own problem in Nigeria. “A tuber of yam, which cost N400 now cost N1,200. I was able to buy two tubers of yam only. A bag of sachet water now cost N150 instead of N100. “I bought six bags from the suppliers. It costs N500 for six bags and a half, now five bags for N500.”
Another Lagos resident, Adeola Otubu, said: “Honestly, it’s not easy at all. Definitely, it’s for the good of the people so as to limit or eradicate the spread of the virus but our government has failed totally in putting things in order – things that could’ve helped citizens comply better to the stay-at-home rules.”To start with, the power supply has been terrible. I can’t boast of having four straight hours of power supply and yet we are expected to store food at home but no light to preserve food items kept in the freezer. What happens to those who survive on daily income? Government should’ve thought of a better plan before the total shutdown. Well, personally I don’t have a choice other than to comply by staying at home for the number of days given while I keep hoping for a positive situation.”
Another resident, who identified herself as Ekwueme Sarah, said: “I don’t see the lockdown as a good idea. For example, if someone in the family has it, the rest will contact it because it’s not immediately you start seeing the effect of the virus definitely, there will be increase.” On her staying power she said: “If this doesn’t exceed 14 days I am prepared for it and if does, there may be problem.”
Most of the people BRANDS & PRODUCTS spoke to said they had not benefited from the palliatives by both the Lagos State and the federal governments. Many people also lamented how close of business has reduced their standards of living and how they have been struggling to make ends meet without any support from the government. Despite all these complaints, our further survey revealed that the following food items have been selling the most in the market
RICE
According to a report, the prices of both local and foreign rice spiked in Abuja, Anambra, Calabar, and Lagos state after President Muhammadu Buhari declared lockdowns in some parts of the county. The lockdowns brought about panic buying by many Nigerian consumers, thereby causing the prices of those food items to skyrocket.
A bag of foreign rice, which initially sold for an average of N26,000 at Wuse market in Abuja, had spiked by 7.69% to N28,000 by March ending. The report also noted that there was an 8.11% increase in the price of local rice which went up from an average of N18,500 to N20,000. Note that these dramatic price increases have also been attributed to the disruption of the supply chain. This is because the big markets in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt are all closed, thereby forcing stores to source for goods directly from the hinterland.
GARRI
BRANDS & PRODUCTS survey revealed that the rate at which cassava flakes popularly known as garri is being consumed during this lockdown has tremendously increased. Many families now settle for eba as the easiest and one of the cheapest meals they can afford in these hard times. A paint bucket of garri which hitherto sold for N400 now sells for N1400 while a bag of 50kg rice which was N14000 is now N22,000. In Ebonyi State, the story is the same. The price of 100kg of yellow garri, which hitherto sold for N17, 000, now goes for N35,000 as the commodity is gradually becoming scarce.
In Osun state, Amudu of cassava flakes, popularly known as garri that sold for N150 now sells for N300. The price of the same measurement of rice also jumped from N650 to N800.
At Ile-Epo market, a suburb area of Agbado/ Oke- Odo Local Authority Development Area of Lagos state, the prices of garri, one of the staple foods in the country were increased with about three hundred per cent. Garri which used to sell for N500 was increased to N1500 and N1800 respectively.
Similarly, Agege, Idumota and Oshodi markets, garri goes for N1400 and N1600 respectively. At Sango, Ifo and Idiroko markets, garri also went up by 300 per cent as residents of these areas pays between N1400 and N1700. A tuber of yam also goes for between N800 and N1300 as against N500 and N700 being sold before the Sunday announcement.
NOODLES
Noodles is another food that many Nigerians have accepted as a part of their daily menu. Top market brands like Indomie, Minimie, Golden Penny, Tummy Tummy, Doyin, etc have all enjoyed huge sales despite COVID-19 pandemic. Although prices have slightly increased as Indomie super pack carton now sells at N3,400, Doyin Pack of 40 Chicken Flavour Noodles 100g sells at 2,300. Minimie Instant Chicken Noodles40pcs of 100g (1 Carton) now sells at N2900. Golden Penny NOODLES Chicken Flavour70g X 40 (1 Carton) is now sold at N2950.
YAM
Yam, selling for between N400 and N500 before the lockdown, has been hiked to between N1,000 and N1,200. While at Ojuwoye market in Mushin, the price of average tuber of yam ranges between N8,000 & N1000. It is also not different at Abule Egba market in Lagos. An average tuber of yam is sold between N1,000 & N1,200. Brands & Products can authoritatively confirm to you that yam has been one of the fastest-selling food items in the markets.
BREAD
Nigerians love bread no doubt. Many families take it as a snack while it is a major meal in some families. Bread is often combined with tea, beans, fried egg or eaten with jam, butter or margarine. Although prices of bread have skyrocketed like every other food item, it is still selling fast. The reason is not far-fetched. Bread is a ready-to-eat meal as it has taken away the burden of cooking from everyone. Before the lockdown, a loaf of bread sold at 350 has been hiked to N500 right now. Justrite bread which seems to be the favourite of many around Isolo axis used to sell at N350 has now been increased to N400. Despite this hike, an inside source confirmed to BRANDS & PRODUCTS that sales have not dropped one bit. Instead, they have had increased sales.
From the market survey above, it is obvious that the government need to do more in regulating prices of food items so that an average Nigeria would be able to afford food and help eradicate hunger which leads to extreme poverty; the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of the United Nations.
-DAMILARE SALAMI
