Prices of foodstuffs at major markets in Tema shoot up

Prices of foodstuffs at major markets in the Tema Metropolis of the Greater Accra Region and its environs spring up first week of September picking up from the unpredictable activities in August where commodity prices fluctuated.

A market survey conducted in major markets in Tema revealed that while the prices of some commodities recorded a reduction in September as compared to the last week of August, others saw a marginal increase.

At the Tema Community One market, the price of a bag of Onion differs based on country of origin. Those from Ghana went for GH¢670.00, the ones from Nigeria were pegged at GH¢550.00 and those from Niger at GH¢570.00.

Ashaiman, Tema Community One, Seven, Nine, Texpo, Kpone, and Ada were the markets visited.

At the Ashaiman market, traders attributed the high prices of commodities to the unfavourable weather conditions, which affected farmers’ output therefore putting pressure on traders to increase prices.

The prices of Carrot remained at GH¢180.00, but Ginger moved from GH¢400.00 last week to GH¢800.00 this week, Onions, on the other hand moved from GH¢600.00 last week to GH¢ 800.00 this week; and a sack of palm nut moved from GH¢140.00 to GH¢160.00 this week as well.

Speaking to some traders at the market, they said, a sack of Pepper moved up from GH¢400.00 last week to GH¢530.00 this week, Garden eggs remained at GH¢200.00 per sack, Okro pegged at GH¢140.00 per basket, Cabbage pegged at GH¢1,000.00 per sack, and Green Pepper price moved from GH¢120.00 last week to GH¢150.00 this week.

A bag of Millet is still pegged at GH¢380.00; Cowpea at GH¢450.00, Soya Beans GH¢440.00, Beans however moved from GH¢650.00 last week of August to GH¢1,000.00 this week, while Maize price also moved from GH¢480.00 in August to GH¢500.00 this week.

A bag of Gari remained at GH¢800.00; Groundnut also at GH¢750.00 and rice ranged from GH¢260.00, GH¢275.00, and GH¢290.00 depending on the type.

A tuber of yam ranged from GHS 8.00, to GH¢14 00, Cassava moved from GH¢100.00 last week to GH¢250.00 per sack this week depending on the type, Cocoyam also moved from GH¢450.00 last week to GH¢500.00 per sack this week and a bunch of unripe plantain moved from GH¢50.00 last week to GH¢70.00 this week.

A carton of fish pegged at GH¢400.00 while a crate of tomatoes, on the other hand moved from GH¢1,300.00 to GH¢1,400 this week for the local and GH¢1,800.00 to GH¢2,000.00 for the foreign ones.

Prices at the other markets are not different, while some of the traders blamed the trend to scarcity of the foodstuffs others blamed the fluctuations on poor roads that were impeding the transportation of the goods from the farming communities to marketing centers.