By Fatima Alih
A market survey at the International Market in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has revealed a sharp decline in the prices of food items and other essential commodities.
Findings show that the price of a basket of tomatoes has fallen from ₦25,000 to ₦16,000, while fresh pepper now sells for ₦20,000 per basket, down from ₦40,000.
Similarly, a bag of Bambara nuts, formerly sold at ₦200,000, now goes for ₦160,000, with the standard measure dropping from ₦3,500 to ₦3,000, while a bag of cassava flour currently sells for ₦22,000.
Maize prices also recorded a steep drop, with a bag now selling between ₦25,000 and ₦30,000, compared to the previous ₦57,000, while the standard measure is pegged at ₦500.
For rice, a 50kg bag is priced between ₦75,000 and ₦80,000, while a standard bowl measure costs between ₦7,500 and ₦9,000, depending on the quality.
Despite the decline in bulk prices, some consumers say the reduction has not been reflected in retail purchases.
A customer, Mrs. Lola Andrew, told Prime FM correspondent that many households are still buying food items at high prices.
In response, a rice dealer, Mallam Musa, explained that some traders are holding on to old stock bought at higher prices in a bid to recover their investment.
Mrs. Andrew, however, called on the government to establish a price monitoring system to check such practices and ensure stable and affordable food prices for consumers.
Edited by Ajifa Ainoko
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