Pepper Shortage Hits Ilorin Markets Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir
According to a news report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pepper, a staple spice in many Nigerian dishes, has suddenly become scarce in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as Eid-el-Kabir approaches.
A market survey conducted on Thursday at the Mandate Market in Ilorin West Local Government Area, where pepper is usually sold in large quantities, revealed that the spice has become increasingly expensive in recent weeks.
The scarcity has also affected tomatoes, with both commodities becoming hard to find. Some pepper sellers have attributed the shortage to flooding and pest attacks in the North, where pepper is grown in large quantities.
Mallam Jamilu Isa, a vendor, explained that they were expecting deliveries of pepper and onions, but were informed that there were no goods available for loading. He lamented that the flooding had washed away many crops, and those that were not washed away were damaged by pests.
The price hike has been significant. A small container of tomatoes that previously sold for N150 now sells for N2,000. Similarly, a wastebin basket that used to cost between N1,500 and N2,000 now sells for N15,000, and a large basket that was priced at N10,000 now costs N175,000 and above.
Also, a basket of Scotch Bonnets popularly called “rodo” sold for N1,500 before, now goes for N12,000.
Similarly, a bag of onions now goes for N75,000 as against N50,000 and below that it was sold.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food prices in Nigeria increased 40.53 per cent in April of 2024 over the same month in the previous year and food inflation reached an all-time high of 40.53 per cent in April of 2024.
In a visit to ram dealers, they lamented low sales as buyers complained of the high prices of rams.
A ram seller, Mr Azeez Abdullahi, said the ram that went for N50,000 a few years back is sold for between N170,000 and N200,000 and above this year.
He identified the high cost of feeds and transportation as responsible for the hike in the price of the ram.
A prospective customer, Mr Yahaya Usman said with the exorbitant price, some of his friends are planning to contribute money to buy a cow and share which is also acceptable in Islam as an alternative to rams. (NAN)
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Susan Modupe Oluwole Niyi Ogundiran AbdulQowiy Olododo Hamza Usman Lanre Issa Onilu Ajuloopin Ilorin General Hospital Sam Onile Jimoh Bashir Dan Iya Of Ilorin Funke Adedoyin Grillo Ajase-Ipo ENetSuD Olokoba Sulyman Markaz Arabic And Islamic Training Institute, Agege Offa Poly JAMB Mohammed Halidu Sa\'adu Gambari Kwara Polytechnic Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji Mohammed Ibrahim Bukola Saraki Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations Rotimi Atere Zaratu Umar General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin Rasheed Jimoh Kaiama Onilupeju Of Ilupeju Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ganiyu Abolarin Aso Ofi Ademola Kiyesola Henry Olaosebikan Jumoke F. Ajao Twitter Ayobami Seriki Ahmad Lawan Olohungbebe Saheed Alakoso Buari Edun David Oyepinola Adedumoye Millennium Development Goals Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa Aisha Ahman-Pategi ITEM 7 Young Progressives Party Al-Ilory Yusuf Amuda Aluko Rashidi Yekini Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan Abubakar Ndakene Aisha Gobir Florence Saraki Ayedun Ibrahim Bio Ahmed Mohammed Rifun Gafaru Olayiwola Olorisade Yusuf A. Usman Sherif Shagaya Ibrahim Akaje Kupchi Hosea Maxwell Balogun Gambari Salman Alada Osi Yahya Mohammed Jebba Aliyu Sabi Just Law Forum Mohammed Haruna Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd Tanke Road Abdulrauf Aliyu Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah Sunset Workers

