By Francis Akinnodi

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Traders of essential commodities at the popular markets across Ondo State have continued to lament the soaring prices of food items which they said have affected patronage.

Investigations at the markets showed that most traders’ open shops late as buyers no longer patronise them due to the exorbitant price of commodities.

A trader, Mrs Caro Okoro, who deals in potatoes, said, the sharp increase in the cost of potato has affected her business capital with low, stating that she would hardly make profit after trading.

“Potatoes selling at N200 now cost N500. This is because a bag of potato, which costs N7,000, has  increased to N15, 000. With this, we still have to make our own profit.

“This is the reason we are calling on the government to come to our aid by subsidising local commodities.

“There is nothing to show for our efforts in terms of expected gains or profit. We are only praying that our labour will not be in vain at the close of trading activities,” she said.

A palm oil seller, Adewumi Tolani lamented that she always go to South East for palm oil, but unfortunately, the business had gone moribund.

She added that traders are not making profit as buyers often felt cheated.

A vegetable trader, Veronica Okon wanted the Federal Government to check the astronomical increase in the cost of food items.

She said: “Prices of pepper, rice, beans among others, have all gone up and the hike cut across every item. A bottle of soft drink we were buying at N100 now costs N150 and to consumers, it is a lot of increase. To worsen the situation, the government is not helping matters,” she stated.

Mrs Mojidat Olatunji said: “There are lots of work that the government would do to help us. The white man keeps the fish somewhere and would not sell, only to pass the buck to us, the traders.

“A Carton of fish that used to cost N7,000, now sells for N30,000. We are pleading with the government to assist us with a view to ensuring the reduction in the price of food items.

“We are only managing, the hike in price of commodities has eroded our profits,” she lamented.