Prices of foodstuff in Bwari market of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) remained slightly stable as the Ramadan fast commenced on Monday.
The prices of essential foodstuff, including rice, tomatoes, meat, beverages and others, recorded little or no increase at all.
For instance, a tin 500g of Milo remained N1,100, while the refill pack of 500g maintained N900.
A measure of sugar sold for N600, while both 5kg and 3kg of vegetable oil remained at N3000 and N2000 respectively.
These prices, NAN gathered, have not changed since the Easter period.
Similarly, a measure of white beans remained N300, while the red beans ranged between N400 and N450 per measure.
However, the price of a bag of imported rice increased from N15,500 to N16,000, while a small basket of tomatoes, sold for N600 to N700 two weeks back, now attracts a negotiable price of N1500 to N1200.
Also, the price of yam now ranged between a negotiable price of N1700 to N1500 for 5 tubers, as compared to N1000 to N1300, a week ago.
A basket of Irish potatoes sold for a negotiable price of N1500 to N1700.
One of the traders, Ms Joy Nnamdi, who spoke to NAN, said that not much has changed and yet, there was low patronage of food items in the market.
According to her, unlike in the past when a lot of people buy in stock, especially before and during the Ramadan fast, this year, there was a low patronage even after salaries had been paid to workers.
“Some people just got paid last week, yet they are complaining there is no money; and you know that schools just resumed, so I think, a lot of people are tackling between school fees and providing foodstuff in the house.
“Nobody seems to be in a hurry to buy anything, people are just buying in bits, because of this consideration,” she said.
Similarly, Mallam Abdullahi Yaro, a meat seller, decried low patronage in his business.
Yaro said that, although not much has changed in the supply of livestock in the market, consumers hardly come to buy in large quantities since the last two weeks.
“One will think that as the Ramadan fast commences, we will experience high patronage, but no, only excuses of lack of money everywhere.
“Even the food vendors who buy meat in bulk from us have reduced the quantity they used to purchase, because they also complained of low patronage, even before the fasting. However, we remain hopeful,” he said.
NAN reports that the 2019 Ramadan fast commenced on May 6 after the sighting of the moon and announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar.
