Market vendors in Abuja are sounding the alarm as the price of plantain has surged to an unprecedented N220,000 per crate. This drastic increase has led many traders to experience a sharp decline in daily sales, struggling to attract customers who find the new prices prohibitive. Several vendors report operating at half capacity, with a significant portion of their stock remaining unsold throughout the day.

Challenges highlighted by traders include:

  • A decrease in regular customers due to affordability issues
  • High cost of restocking impacting overall profit margins
  • Increased competition from alternative staple foods
Price Point Sales Volume (Crates/Day) Average Daily Revenue (Naira)
N180,000 15 2,700,000
N220,000 7 1,540,000