With less than two days to the commencement of the Muslims’ Ramadan fasting, the prices of foodstuff and fruits have increased slightly in some parts of the country.

In a survey by Facing the Kaaba in Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan, Oyo State, recently, we gathered that prices of foodstuff and fruits have slightly increased.

At Mile 12 market in Lagos, prices of rice, beans, millet, maize and other grains have gone up by 30 percent. A bucket of rice sold for N700 last week has gone up to N850 to N900 while beans sold for N1000 before now is now being sold for N1200 – N1400 depending on the quality. Same goes for millet which is now sold for N500 as against N400. Alhaji Sheu, the secretary of the perishable items traders attributed the slight increase to innability of traders to deliver enough items to the Mile 12 Market which according to him serve other markets in Lagos and neighbouring countries.

“Traders probably wants to observe the month of Ramadan at home and it is a period they work less both in their various farms and moving the goods to the markets.”

As a result, Sheu maintained that the increase might continue throughout the Ramadan if the number of trailers coming to the market is not increased. “Right now, the demand is high as a result of the Ramadan which is less than two days now, and you know the law of demand and supply, it will continue to rise unless there is more supply of those items,” he said.

A trader at the market said inspite of the slight increase, people still throng the market to buy in preparation for Ramadan and also in anticipation that prices might increase when Ramadan fasting fully commenced.

Reports from other markets accross the South West indicated that prices of foodstuff and fruits have increased. In Ibadan, consumers are already groaning following the increase on some food items.

Karimat who spoke with Vanguard indicated that fruits that are relatively cheaper at Bodija Market in Ibadan are now “no-go-area.” “I dont know what happened, I cant buy the fruits as I used to buy them for sale. The prices of pine apple, orange and water Mellon have increased. This will affect my profit margin and the sales generally. Some people said it was due to Ramadan, while others said there was low harvest and security risk in the northern part of the country.”