Ogun Food Traders Lament Low Sales, Blame Economic Hardship
Taiwo Ayandeyi
Some traders of food items have lamented the worsening state of the country’s economy, which is affecting their business in Magboro, Ibafo and Mowe markets in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The traders told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that the sales of food products had fallen due to the hardship in the economy of the country, which has affected the customers purchasing power.
A market woman, Okesofu Hannah, told our correspondent that this phase was unbearable for traders in the local market, as she pleaded with the government to proffer solutions to the harsh economy.
“Sales have not been going smoothly for the past few months. The rice that we bought for N 30,000 is now N 65,000. Government should do something about it, as customers cannot buy garri again because it is now sold at N2000 per paint.

“The government should help us. What we are passing through as traders is unfair. The sales rate of foodstuffs has reduced, and customers who were buying one paint of rice have resorted to one derica. I am begging the government to do something to it, they should find a solution to the worsening economy”, she said.
Another trader, Rashidat Omotayo, said that she had been experiencing difficulty in making sales due to the unfavourable economic situation.
She said, “Customers leave immediately I mention the price of foodstuffs to them. They will say they cannot buy it because it is too costly. Honestly, people feed in hardship, those who eat three square meals have reduced it.
“Some married individuals in office attire will come to my stall to beg for foodstuff because they cannot afford it. I do not have money to buy rice also, as it can only be afforded by the elite.
“I have stopped making sales unlike before. The quantity of goods I buy from the farm has even reduced because I do not have money to purchase more.
“I, myself, also struggle to buy from the farm because they also increased their prices too. What we transport from the farms in Shaki, Igbeya, Kalomo, for N 15,000, is now N22,000, because of the fuel hike”, Omotayo lamented.
A trader, simply identified as Odinachi, hinted that the hike of food prices by traders was due to the challenges involved in trading, and had affected patronage in their market.
“The prices of goods have drastically changed. There is a 90 per cent increase. The goods you used to buy at N10 then are now N90.
“As you can see my shop, is very empty. It used to be filled than this. The sales have dropped. In the same way, it is affecting my customers, it is also affecting me. Most of them come here to buy foodstuff on credit and pay later.
“You buy goods today when you are done selling them, you find out the money you made from the previous sales is not enough to buy other goods. I am tired”, he said.
There has been a drastic rise in the cost of living and prices of food items following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in May 2023 leading to the rise of the fuel price from N186 to above N600 per litre currently.
