The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prices of some perishable foods have dropped by about 50% amid the ongoing nationwide hunger protest. The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, is set to conclude on August 10, aiming to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
In separate interviews with NAN on Friday in Lagos, traders and buyers at the Ile-epo food market in the Alimosho/Agege area confirmed the price drop. Local food markets have seen less activity than usual due to the protests. Rabiu Aliu, a tomato trader at Ile-epo market, stated that the prices of perishable items such as tomatoes and chili peppers have decreased to reduce losses from low patronage caused by the protest.
“A 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells for between N40,000 and N50,000, down from N80,000 to N100,000 two weeks ago. A 25kg basket sells for between N18,000 and N19,000, compared to N30,000 to N40,000 two weeks ago. We have no choice but to sell because there are few customers. The purchasing power is quite low at the moment,” Aliu said.
Another trader, Mrs. Mukit Afolabi, noted that the price of perishable items had dropped due to the hunger protest. “On the first day of the protest, tomatoes were even cheaper because there was no one to buy them. I bought a 5kg basket of tomatoes for N4,000, whereas it sold for N12,000 two weeks ago. The protest has contributed to the price drop. However, Scotch bonnet peppers (rodo) are still expensive. On Monday, a bag was sold for N40,000, but today it sells for N84,000 due to unavailability in the market. No pepper deliveries have been made since Wednesday, the day before the protest began,” Afolabi said.
A foodstuff trader, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, also confirmed a drop in the prices of rice and beans.
