Business
Easter Celebrations: Prices Of Foodstuffs Stable In Osun
As Christians began the Easter celebration nationwide, prices of foodstuffs have remained relatively stable in Osun, especially in Osogbo metropolis.
Our correspondent market survey in the state revealed that there was no significant increase in the prices of commodities.
At Igbona market, a 50kg bag of rice is sold for between N6, 800 and N8, 500 depending on the quality, a trend which has been stable now for some time.
Mrs. Folake Arowojobe, a rice seller at Old Garage Market, said the price had remained stable since January, after the Christmas and new year celebrations.
Arowojobe who also sells sundry items, explained that there had not been any major increase because patronage was low due to economic hardship.
Another foodstuff seller, Mopelola Daramola, said a bag of quality brown beans was being sold for N8,700, noting, however, that most people usually bought at retail prices.
As to the level of patronage, the traders were unanimous in their response, saying that sales had been generally low during this year’s Easter celebrations.
Daramola attributed the lull to the attitude of some people who preferred to do last minute shopping.
At Oja’ba Market, a trader who identified herself as Iya Beji, said a 20-litre jerry-can of light cooking oil cost N5,500.
The woman further told our source that a gallon of another brand known as Turkey cost N1,000 while various sizes of Soya or Groundnut oil cost between N600 and N1000.
She said the price was not negotiable, because ‘‘since we did not increase it, we can’t reduce it to avoid shortage’’.
But Miss Eliza Demman, a fowl dealer, said the prices of the birds were just a little higher than the previous costs.
Demman explained that the birds were bred and targeted for sale at Easter while the owners had to sell in prices that would be profitable, to remain in business.
The least price for a fowl was N1,000 especially for old layers while other types bigger in size sold at N1,200 each and above.
Prices of ingredients such as tomatoes, pepper, palm oil and onions, among others, were stable.
The stability was due to the recent resolution of a crisis between government and traders of the items.