Some vegetables displayed by the market women
Some residents in Takoradi have expressed concerned over the hike in the prices of vegetables despite the seeming depreciation of the US dollar.
The price increment has affected the purchasing power of most customers and has also slowed down the businesses of traders.
Some traders DAILY GUIDE interviewed at some market centers in Takoradi pointed out that the situation has adversely affected patronage of their items.
Some of them attributed the hike in prices of their commodities to transportation cost while others indicated that illegal mining activities have also impacted vegetable production because of land degradation and water pollution.
At the Takoradi New Market near Ahenfie hotel, DAILY GUIDE observed that people were not able to afford the cost of the vegetables.
Madam Martha Koomsom, who trades in vegetables mentioned that a bag of garden eggs which was sold at GH¢1,200 last year now sells at about GH¢2,600.
She revealed that a small bowl of pepper which used to sell for GH¢2.00 and GHc3.00 is now being sold at GH¢10.00.
She said it was pathetic to note that a small bowl of tomatoes which was selling at GH¢40.00 last year is now being sold at GH¢100.00.
Madam Georgina Egyir another vegetable seller also shared similar sentiments and indicated that medium sized bulb cabbage was now being sold at GH¢10.00 as against GH¢5.00 last year.
She said, “Customers barely come around to purchase vegetables because there is no money in the system that is why the market has been slow.”
At the Takoradi old market it was observed that a bucket of fresh tomatoes which was selling at GH¢5,000 last year is now being sold at GH¢7,000.
“Here, if you want to get a small bowl of tomatoes for a small sized family use, one has to spend about GH¢20.00 and above before one could cook a good meal”, she stressed.
She also attributed the inflated cost of the commodities to the high cost of transportation.
“We have heard that the Ghana cedi is appreciating against the dollar so we are hopeful that very soon the prices of products including vegetables will be reduced,” she added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi