Lagos traders lament low sales as Eid-el-Kabir approaches

Ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, food traders and consumers in Lagos State are reporting significantly lower patronage than in previous years. This downturn is attributed to the high cost of food items and a general lack of disposable income among the populace.

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The patronage at this year’s Eid-el-Kabir is a far cry from what we experienced last year.

Traders describe this year's sales as a "far cry" from last year's. A 50kg basket of tomatoes, which sold for around ₦50,000 last year, now ranges from ₦80,000 to ₦140,000 depending on the variety. Even with a slight recent drop in tomato prices, patronage remains sluggish as consumers complain about the unavailability of funds.

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It feels as if many people are only interested in observing the public holidays rather than celebrating.

The high cost of essential items is impacting traditional Eid-el-Kabir preparations, particularly the purchase of rams. Stalls displaying rams are reportedly still full, indicating low demand. Many families are resorting to pooling money together to buy a single ram for sharing, a practice less common in previous years.

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The price of tomatoes has dropped slightly compared to two weeks ago, when a 50kg basket sold for about N121,000. Now, a 25kg crate sells for about N40,000, but patronage is still low compared to last year’s Sallah period.

Consumers find even small rams unaffordable, with prices starting at approximately ₦300,000. Some families have purchased multiple rams for substantial sums, with one report detailing the purchase of two average-sized rams for ₦550,000, compared to ₦450,000 for larger ones last year. The cost of cows and other food items like rice and pepper also remains alarmingly high, forcing many to celebrate with limited resources.

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People keep complaining that there is no money. We just hope to recover the money invested in the business.