NEWSCOPE
Fruit sellers across Plateau State have expressed concern over the fluctuating prices of fruits, which they say have made buying and selling increasingly difficult for both traders and consumers
By EUNICE IBRAHIM & REJOICE BITRUS
A fruit seller, Mr. Sanusi Idris, told THE NIGERIA STANDARD that unlike last year, the prices of fruits have risen considerably, although patronage remained fair.
“I used to buy big watermelons between ₦1,000 and ₦1,200, but now they cost between ₦2,000 and ₦3,000, while the small ones that sold for ₦500 to ₦700 now go for between ₦1,500 and ₦1,800,” he said.
According to him, cucumber prices fluctuate depending on the season.
“Cucumber does not have a fixed price. When it is in season, it becomes cheap, but when it’s out of season, it gets expensive. Sometimes, the price can even change between morning and evening,” he explained.
Idris, however, noted a slight drop in apple prices. “Last year, I bought a carton of green apples at ₦75,000, but this year it costs ₦70,000. The red apples that sold for ₦85,000 last year now go for ₦80,000,” he added.
Another fruit seller, Mr. Kabir Usman, also observed that fruit prices had risen sharply this year, even though sales were slightly better than last year’s.
“As of last year, I sold five pieces of oranges for ₦300 and two or three pieces for ₦200. This year, I sell four pieces for ₦500, and the smaller ones go for ₦100 each. A bag of oranges now costs ₦30,000,” he disclosed.
Usman further explained that banana prices also vary.
“This year, a bunch of bananas costs between ₦800 and ₦1,500, but last year I sold a bunch for ₦700, ₦500, and the big ones for ₦3,000, ₦2,500, and ₦1,500 respectively,” he stated.
He lamented the losses incurred when fruits were not sold in time.
“Whenever I don’t sell all my fruits, they end up spoiling, and it’s a loss. The fruit business is very sensitive because fruits are perishable,” he said.
Usman attributed the rising cost of fruits to the high price of fuel and the perishable nature of the produce.
“If fuel prices drop, the prices of goods will also come down,” he added.
At the Gada Biu Market, another seller, Mrs. Maryamu Peter, said she no longer made the kind of profit she used to make in previous years.
“In the past, if I bought bananas worth ₦10,000, I would sell all of them quickly. But now, it takes days before I finish selling due to low patronage. However, oranges still sell well because more people buy them,” she said.
Among the buyers, Mrs. Ladi Kide said she regularly purchased oranges, guavas, bananas and watermelons for nourishment.
“I take fruits for body nourishment, and since my doctor hasn’t told me to stop eating any, I take whatever I can afford. My major challenge is the high prices. I wish fruit prices would go down so people can buy them more often,” she said.
Another buyer, Mrs. Mercy Inchi Adik, said fruits like bananas, oranges and watermelons made her feel healthy and satisfied.
“The only challenge is for ulcer patients like me — oranges can trigger it, so I take just a little. I buy fruits weekly because they are perishable,” she explained.
Highlighting the health benefits of fruits, a nurse, Miss Jessica Kakwi, emphasised the importance of fruit consumption, especially for the elderly.
“Older people need fruits more because most of their supplements are made from fruits, which help sustain their body system. We also need to drink plenty of water to complement fruits, as they provide nutrients, strength, and vitamins,” she said.