Source: Graphic Online | 28 March 2020

A number of shoppers in Accra have expressed concern about the increasing prices of foodstuffs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

At the markets yesterday, many people who took to panic buying in anticipation of a possible lockdown of the country were met with price hikes.

The Daily Graphic observed that a cup of gari, which was initially sold at GH₵10, went for GH₵20, with a bucket of tomatoes that sold at GH₵40 going for GH₵60, while a half bucket of gari which cost GH₵20 was being sold at GH₵30.

Vegetables such as cabbage, pepper, cucumber and spring onion had also seen increases in prices.

Cabbage that sold at GH₵5 had the price doubled to GH₵10.

Some buyers at the Agbogbloshie Market said they had no option but to buy the items at the new prices.

Ms Clara Amoah, one of the buyers, said: “I have no choice but to buy because I need to stock the house in case of any lockdown.”

Easter season

In contrast, Ms Margaret Zelua, a vegetables seller, would not attribute the price hikes to the COVID-19.

She explained that usually during the Easter period, items such as peper, tomatoes and onions were expensive because of the lean season.

“I have been in the business for long and so I won’t say it’s the COVID-19. The Easter season is a lean season for these vegetables and anyone who has been in this business for long will testify to it,” she added.

Wholesale Prices

Another trader who gave her name as Vida said once the prices of items went up at the wholesale, it would trickle down to the markets.

She explained that a sack of cabbage which was bought at a wholesale price of GH₵300 was now GH₵600, while sacks of carrots and green pepper which were sold at GH₵150 were now GH₵300.

“We now buy the items from the village women at 100 per cent increased rate and so we have no choice but to also sell them at 100 per cent of the old price,” she said.