By Mercy Omoike
Some Lagos State residents have raised concerns over the sudden hike in the price of onions in the state by over 50 percent.
The residents comprising of traders and consumers disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
NAN reports that a bag of onions now sells for N180,000 against N90,000 to N120,000 that it was sold two to three months ago, representing an increase of 50 per cent.
An onions trader at the Alimosho area of the state, Mr Rabiu Aliu, blamed the hike of the produce on scarcity.
“Onion is no more in season. We are not in its peak season, that is why it is expensive.
“When we order from the North, we sometimes do not get delivery of the produce due to its unavailability.
“Sometimes, we do not even have the funds to buy it, hence the hike in its price,” Aliu said.
Another perishable foodstuff trader at Amuwo Odofin area, Mr Judith Amen, said the price hike of the produce had been consistent since the past months.
“We can no longer predict the price of onions in the market, every other day we get to the market, the price increases.
“We now sell a small bulb of onions at N250 to N200 depending on its size in order to get a fair profit.
“It is a dire situation as our customers can only purchase few onions they can afford,” Amen said.
Another trader at Agege market, Mr Abu Ishaku, blamed scarcity and market force such as transportation from the farms to the city as the reasons for the produce hike.
“Yes, onions is out of season presently and is scarce to buy from up North, that is why the price has increased.
“However, the cost of transporting the produce from the North has increased and it is reflecting the price across local markets.
“The consumers are bearing the brunt of the added expenses,” Ishaku said.
A businesswoman and consumer, Mr Rejoice Micheal, said she only buys what she can afford.
“I bought about five small pieces of onions at N1,000 as against N500 because of the hike.
“I just buy what I can afford as we really have no healthy alternatives for onions in our meals,” Micheal said.
On her part, Mrs Sandra Obalelenge, an office worker, expressed surprise at the hike.
“We are surprised at the rate these food items increase incessantly.
“I heard onion is out of season but this year the price hike is really abnormal, it has never risen this high off season,” Obalelenge said.
A resident at Dopemu area of the state, Ms Wendy Dada, said locals have started substituting onions with seasonings in their meals.
“Due to the recent price hike of onions, most people now use more seasoning in their food to mask the absence of onions in their meals.
“Although not an healthy option, people would like to still eat tasty meals despite how expensive onions are.
“They buy what they can afford and augment the taste with extra seasoning in the food,” Dada said.(NAN)
