By Ayomide otitoju
Rising inflation and the increasing cost of agricultural produce are placing severe pressure on roasted corn sellers across Nigeria, with many traders saying shrinking profits and rising operating expenses are threatening their livelihoods.
Traders who spoke with Trust Africa News said the soaring prices of maize, transportation and other business inputs have significantly reduced their earnings, forcing many to operate on slim profit margins despite sustained consumer demand.
A roasted corn seller, Mrs. Helen Seloha, said the business remains her primary source of income despite the rising cost of maize.
According to her, although the profit margin is modest, it enables her to meet basic needs. She encouraged unemployed women to venture into small-scale businesses with whatever capital they can afford rather than waiting until they have substantial funds.
Seloha also appealed to the government to provide financial support, empowerment programmes and job opportunities for small-scale traders.
Another trader, Miss Fumilayo Adeyemi, said she ventured into the roasted corn business to earn an honest living.
She disclosed that a bag of corn now costs about ₦18,000, while her daily profit averages around ₦5,000, depending on sales. She described the business as a means of survival and urged the government to implement policies that would reduce the cost of doing business and improve the welfare of traders.
Mr. Francis Sermon, another roasted corn seller, said the rising cost of maize has made the business increasingly difficult.
He explained that bags of maize sell for between ₦30,000 and ₦60,000, while transportation costs have also risen significantly. He added that some of the produce often spoils before it is sold, further reducing already limited profits.
According to him, roasted corn sells for between ₦300 and ₦600 per piece, but the proceeds are often insufficient to meet household expenses, including the education of his two children.
Sermon called on the Federal and state governments to create more employment opportunities for young people and improve security in farming communities to enable farmers to return safely to their farms.Copyright TRUSTAFRICA NEWS.
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He noted that many traders source maize from the Federal Capital Territory, Osun, Ondo, Oyo and Ogun states because local production is inadequate, while insecurity in farming communities has disrupted supply chains and contributed to rising prices.
Mrs. Angela Usien, who also sells roasted corn, highlighted the health challenges associated with the business.
She said prolonged exposure to smoke from roasting corn causes eye irritation and sleeplessness but noted that she continues the trade because it remains a dependable source of income.
Usien explained that the price of corn varies according to size, with larger bags selling for between ₦13,000 and ₦18,000, while profits fluctuate depending on the quality of the produce and prevailing market demand.
She appealed to the government to establish more industries and create sustainable employment opportunities to reduce dependence on informal businesses for survival.
The traders unanimously called on the government to address inflation, improve security in farming communities, support small-scale businesses and create more jobs to ease the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
