Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir, prices of tomato, other vegetables and livestock have soared in some markets in Lagos.

The survey was conducted at Mile 12, Daleko, Oke Odo, Oyingbo, Mushin and Abattoir markets.

A 40 kilogramme(kg) basket of tomato, which cost N14,500 in July has increased to N20,000, and a 50 kg basket of bell pepper (Tatashe) rose from N18, 000 to N22,000.

Also, a 50 kg Chilli pepper (Shombo) now cost N19, 000 from N16, 000, while the price of a jute bag of onions dropped from N33, 000 to N25,000.

A 25-litres of vegetable oil has a marginal increase of N100 to cost N9,800, while a five litres of palm oil goes for between N1,800 and N2,050.

Mr Femi Odusanya, Spokesperson, Mile 12 Traders Association, attributed the price increase of perishable food items to off-season effect, cost of transportation due to bad roads.

Odusanya, however, expressed optimism that the prices of food items are likely to reduce soon as the market leaders evolve a mechanism for price control and check.

At the Daleko market, prices of various 50kgbrands of rice ranges from N13, 000 to N16,000, 50kg bag of beans continued to decline in price as it now cost N14, 300 from its previous price of N16, 500.

Uche Obinna, a rice seller at the market, lauded government’s agriculture intervention, adding that locally produced rice has increasingly available in the market.

However, livestock sellers at Owode/Mile 12, Abattoir and Ikorodu markets complained about low patronage of rams by customers and attributed it to paucity of funds.

Alhaji Sheu Danladi, a ram seller at Sabo, Ikorodu market said that a big ram ranges between N120,000 to N250, 000, while a medium-size ram cost about N100,000.

He said that turnout of buyers to the market had been low and disappointing, adding that the few that came were only window-shopping.

Alhaji Issa Bello, a customer at the market complained that prices of the rams continue to increase annually, making it almost unaffordable for many Muslims.

The 2019 Eid-el-Kabir, an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to follow Allah’s command to sacrifice his son, will begin in the evening of Sunday Aug. 11.

The Federal Government has declared Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 as public holiday to mark the celebrations.

(NAN)