Consumers lament food price increase in Ilorin

Consumers in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State capital have complained about the sudden increase in food stuffs prices as traders also lament low patronage in major markets visited by Pilot Business in the city.

Pilot Business observed that some goods that are sold at certain rate of the recent was suddenly increased by a sizable amount of money by the traders, a situation it is gathered have been affecting consumer's budget whenever they came to the markets.

Meanwhile, Pilot Business gathered that the increment which is on rice, perishables, staples and edible consumable goods like tomatoes, pepper, yam and groundnut oil was due to factors such as seasonal changes, increased production, handling cost, weaker foreign exchange rate and prolonged period of fuel scarcity.

One of the customers who lamented her plight on Saturday at Oja-Oba, Mrs Labake Aliu said the development has on many occasion greatly affected consumers' budget.

Aliu who rued the situation said further that while coming to the market they would plan for something else but on getting there it would be a different story entirely.

She regretted that prices of consumables products have been fluctuating over the past six month, saying “currently it has gotten to a stage where low income earner may no longer be able to afford them”.

Also, at Mandate Ultra Modern market, Mrs Atinuke James who owns a food store said the increase in prices of rice, semovita, groundnut oil among others was as a result of traders inability to import products from Cotonou.

James explained that presently they are making do with the supply from Lagos of which comes at a higher price.

She however urged government to as a matter of urgency dwell on the matter before it get out of hands.

#economy #kwara