Following the recent increase in the price of beans, traders and consumers in Lagos State have started seeking alternatives to the staple food and protein source.
They expressed concern over the impact of the price hike in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
The price of a cup of beans, which sold for about N800 in early April, rose to between N1,200 and N1,300 in August.
The increase has forced some consumers to reduce their consumption of beans, while traders who depend on the produce for their businesses are also struggling with rising costs.
A bean-cake (akara) seller on Thompson Street, Costain area of Lagos, Mrs Eunice David, said the high cost of beans had forced her to manage her resources carefully to remain in business.
David said she might switch to frying potatoes and yam if the price of beans continued to rise.
“I may soon stop selling akara if the price continues to rise.
“Although my customers are dissatisfied with the reduced size of the bean cakes, I will only continue selling if the business remains profitable,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Peter Kalu, a manual labourer on Apapa Road, said he had reduced his consumption of beans and opted for rice and eba with soup because of the rising cost.
Kalu said beans had been his preferred meal while working on site, but the recent price increase had made it difficult for him to maintain the habit.
“I have opted for rice and eba since the price of beans has been increasing. The carbohydrates will still give me the strength I need for the job.
“I will return to eating beans if the price comes down,” he said.
Mrs Peculiar Igwe, a resident of Opeoluwa Street, Apapa Road, and a lover of bean-based meals, also expressed concern over the rising price.
Igwe said she had started using other sources of protein to ensure that her children continued to have adequate protein in their meals.
“My children love eating beans. I still buy it, but not as much as I used to because of the price increase.
“I now substitute beans in their meals with eggs, beef, chicken and fish so that they do not lack protein entirely.
“We will return to consuming more beans when the price stabilises,” she said.
However, another labourer on Apapa Road, Mr Qudri Sawo, said the price increase had not stopped him from eating beans regularly.
Sawo said he preferred beans because they made him feel more satisfied and strengthened him for his daily work.
“I feel more satisfied and strengthened to do my job when I have eaten beans for breakfast before work.
“I do not have an alternative to beans because I love them. I will continue to patronise them regardless of the price, but I will only buy what I can afford,” he said.
