Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Commodities
Traders trading
COVID-19 is a global threat that emerged in China at the end of 2019 that requires global response involving all countries, the pandemic has impacted both demand for supply of commodities.
Food commodities have risen dramatically. At the Rice Mill Market Makurdi, Mama Iember Nor said a tin of rice that was sold for 7000 is now 9000.
A sizeable tuber of yam initially sold for 250-300 is now 500 at High Level Market said Mrs. Ihotu Ameh. The prices of yams are now high and sales are poor as most people cannot afford the new prices.
Mr. Simon Atsua, a resident of Makurdi who buys Garri said quantity that was sold for 500 is now 700. Atsua explained further that Garri which used to be the cheapest food item has now skyrocketed in price.
Mr. Danladi, a beans seller at North Bank market said a tin of beans is now sold for 7000 as against 5000 in the past.
An economist and deputy director Center for Continuing Education, Benue State University Dr. Joseph Fefa said the effect of COVID -19 will be felt and if possible this virus will stay for almost a year or more, but the masses can help themselves through what is called economy of prudence. Salaries have not increased in this pandemic and with the rising cost of commodities he said “we must be prudent in expenses and to the survival strategy. It is time to spend on commodities which are most important avoiding extravagant spending and idleness.”
