Once again, the Nairametrics research team recently visited major markets across Lagos State to obtain the prices of household food items. Findings from the survey show that among the major market selected, Mile 12 sells cheapest. Also, the price of local rice remains higher compared to imported rice.
The various markets where the survey was conducted includes Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12, and Oyingbo market. The customers and sellers made notable complaints concerning the fluctuating prices of commodities.
Findings also revealed the average price of goods, commodities sold for relatively the same price across the various markets, significantly different price and insight obtained in the market.
Relatively the same price: According to the findings of Nairametrics Survey, commodities such as the gas filling, crate of eggs, vegetable oil, pasta, a kilo of fish, Cway, beverages, milk, and cocoa beverages are sold for relatively the same prices across the markets; although with just a little bit of price variations.
For instance, the 5 litres of locally-made Vegetable oil is sold for an average price of N1,950, even as Mushin, Daleko, and Oyingbo markets sell it for N2,000. Mile 12 market sells it the cheapest for N1,800. Also, 25 litres of the same commodity is sold at a parallel rate of N2,000 across Mushin, Daleko, and Oyingbo markets, while Mile 12 offers the cheapest price of N1,500.
Kings Vegetable oil and Wesson (5 litres) are sold at a uniform price of N3,000 and N3,900 respectively across board; although Mushin market and Oyingbo market sell Mamador (3.8 litres) for N2,500. Daleko market sells for N2,450 while Mile 12 market offers the cheapest price for N2,400.
Relative difference in price: Notable variances were recorded in the prices of rice, palm oil, beans and yam. As much as foreign rice remains banned from coming through the Nigerian borders, locally-grown rice (Mama’s pride) still cost higher compared to the other various imported rice. Mama’s pride is sold for an average of N15,625. Oyingbo market is selling the highest at N16,000 while the other three markets sell for N15,500. A bag (50 kg) of rice, Royal stallion, Mama Gold and Caprice are sold for an average of N14,875.
Meanwhile, sellers lamented over the essence of closing down the Nigerian border if the locally-grown rice is still very expensive compared to the other varieties.
Also, a bag of 50kg beans (Oloyin) is sold for N16,000 at Mushin and Oyingbo markets. Mile 12 market sells for 15,000, while Daleko market sells for N13,500. Daleko also sells brown beans the cheapest as they offer the commodity for just N12,000 while Mile 12 and Mushin market sell for 15,000 with Oyingbo market selling the highest at N14,500.
Mushin market and Oyingbo market sells palm oil (5 litres) for N1,800 while Daleko and Mile 12 market sells at a lower rate for N1,500. The 25 litres of the same commodity goes for N9,000 in Mushin market and Oyingbo market, as Mile 12 market sells cheapest in this regard for N8,500 Daleko market sells for N8,800.
Special Market: Daleko market is known for its large stock and low pricing of products such as rice, beans, vegetable, and palm oil. A seller of grain in Daleko market whose name is Charles, told Nairametric research team that there are three types of brown beans. The cheapest which he classified as “pelebe” (tiny) sells at an average of N9,500, followed by olotu which sells for N12,000. Meanwhile, the typical brown beans is sold for N18,000.
Charles further stressed the need for the government to reconsider its policy on rice importation. He said if the status quo must be maintained, an affordable alternative should be put in place so as to ease the burden of the traders and the masses.
[ALSO READ: Household Survey: Food items are expensive at Mushin Market]
On the other hand, some traders interviewed by Nairametrics lamented over the lack of capital to purchase rice in large quantity directly from the distributors. This is why they resort to obtaining the goods from a middleman which in turn increases the prices of goods or the level of profit.
Mile 12 market was filled with customers on Thursday, as they came out en-mass with optimism as the price of tomatoes gradually reduces. Recall that Nairametrics earlier reported that a big basket of tomatoes was sold for a huge sum of N18,000 which deteriorated up to N27,000. But in recent weeks, it has reduced gradually and now sells for N12,000.
Although the price of tomatoes has not returned to its initial cost of N8,000 the public expressed hope that it will find its place back as there is now considerable availability of the commodity in the market.
About Nairametrics Food Price Survey: The Nairametrics’ Food Price Watch is a bi-weekly household market survey the covers prices of major food items, with emphasis laid on four (4) major markets in Lagos State: Mushin Market, Daleko Market, Oyingbo Market, and Mile 12.
See table below
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