There is an increase in the price of all food items in Lokoja especially with the commencement of the Ramadan fast, North Central Daily Trust reports.
A survey carried out by our correspondent at both International and Kpata markets showed that there was a high increase in the cost of basic food items.
For instance, 100 tubers of yams that sold for N35,000 before Ramadan now sell for between N44,000 and N60,000 depending on size and quality.
Mrs. Alimo Umoru, a yam seller at Kpata market in Lokoja who confirmed this to our correspondent said, “we are finding it difficult to explain to customers the phenomenal increase in prices of yams these days”.
Similarly, a bag of beans that sold for N36,600 now sells for N40,400 according to Malam Audu Mohammed, a beans trader in the market.
He said that that a measure now goes for N750 to N850 depending on the size and quality of the product.
Furthermore, a bag of onions which was selling for N13,000 now goes for N30,000 while that of sweet potato is now up to N45,000 from N30,000.
“There is nothing here in the market that the price has not increased. There is nothing we can do to change the situation because we engage in the business to make gains or at worse to break even,” he said.
