Some food traders and consumers in Lagos State have lamented poor patronage ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The traders and consumers said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.
They attributed the situation to high food prices and inadequate funds.
A foodstuff trader at Cele area of the state, Mrs Patience Akpan, described this year’s patronage as unusually low compared with previous Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
“The patronage at this year’s Eid-el-Kabir is a far cry from what we experienced last year.
“It feels as if many people are only interested in observing the public holidays rather than celebrating.
“I called one of my customers yesterday to ask why she had not come to shop for Sallah, and she said funds were not available.
“A 50kg basket of tomatoes sold at the wholesale market between N80,000 and N140,000, depending on the species,” she said.
Akpan said tomatoes were more affordable last year, with a basket selling for about N50,000.
She added that ram sales had also recorded low patronage.
“If you check the stalls where ram sellers from the North display their animals, many are still full.
“A lot of families now contribute money together to buy just one ram for the celebration,” she said.
Another trader, popularly known as Iya Amina, also complained about reduced patronage despite a slight drop in tomato prices.
“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.
