The cost of refilling cooking gas has reached an all-time high in various markets in Lagos State. Filling of a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder increased by 25% to an average of 10,000N from the 8,000N recorded the previous week.
Gas resellers expect a further increase in the price of gas, in the context of a continuing shortage of supply and growing demand for this product.
This is according to the bi-monthly market survey conducted by Nairametrics research team comprising four major markets in Lagos State namely; Oyingbo, Daleko, Mushin and Mile 12.
Additionally, the price of a medium sized bag of pepper now sells on average at N21,750, which is an increase of 10.8% from an average of N19,625 recorded two weeks ago. According to data extracted from the report, a gallon of Mamador 3.8 liter vegetable oil now sells on average for N7,650, indicating an increase of 18.1% from an average of N6,475 at the start. of the month of May 2022.
On the other hand, the price of a 50kg bag of Oloyin beans has fallen by 12.8%, now selling on average at N33,125 from the original average price of N38,000. Similarly, a large bag of bush mango seed (also called ogbono seed) now sells for an average of 128,000 naira.
Report Highlights
- The price of a medium sized bag of pepper rose by 10.8% to sell at an average price of N21,750 compared to the previously recorded average price of N19,625.
- Additionally, a large yam tuber that initially sold for an average of N2,350 now sells for an average of N2,600, which is an increase of 10.6%.
- Similarly, the cost of a full carton of chicken has increased by 8.9% to sell for an average of N21,500 from the previous average price of N19,750.
- On the other hand, a 50kg bag of white garri now sells on average at N12,275, indicating a price drop of 9.1% from an initial average of N13,500.
- In the same vein, a 50 kg bag of white beans which initially sold on average at N55,825, now sells on average at N53,250.
- In particular, the price of some food products such as noodles, cocoa drinks, milk, semovita, pasta, among others, have maintained their initial prices.
Market overview
In a discussion with Mr Rufusa tanker driver and gas distributor, he said the price of cooking gas had risen due to its scarcity due to late ships.
“I’ve been at the depot for 5 days and still haven’t been able to get gas as we were waiting for the gas ships. I had to come back as obviously no ships will be entering the country anytime soon“, he lamented.
“We should anticipate a larger increase in the price of cooking gas as distributors only sell what they already have in storehe added.
According Mr. Tobisolo, a major gas distributor, he explained that depots in Nigeria have rationed the use of ships to bring gas into the country. When talking to Mr. Tobi, he noted that out of the 12 depots in the country, only five of them had gas, which caused a significant increase in the price of cooking gas.
“The price of gas will continue to rise if steps are not taken to start producing gas domestically or to increase imports. We only have a few ships entering the country at a time and can only supply a limited number of depots, which is why there are gas supply shortages,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chukwuekwe, a garri trader at Daleko market, explained that the increase in the price of yellow garri is due to seasonal fluctuations, as we are well into the rainy season. He also noted that when there is less sunshine, it affects the production of garri, hence the higher price.
He also explained that palm oil, which is an integral part of the production of yellow garri, is relatively scarce during the rainy season, which consequently affects the price of yellow garri.
During a brief visit to the pepper section of the Mile-12 market, the Nairametrics team observed that the type of peppers in the market were tiny compared to their usual sizes. Mallam Issa explained to the team that seasonality has set in in the pepper harvest in Nigeria.
He noted that the small pepper seen in the market is not Nigerian pepper but imported as Nigerians are not currently harvesting pepper due to seasonality.
About the Nairametrics Food Price Survey
Nairametrics Food Price Watch is a bi-weekly household market survey that covers the prices of major food items in Nigeria, with a focus on four major markets in Lagos – Mushin Market, Daleko Market, Oyingbo and the Mile 12 market.
