Traders, consumers lament rising ogbono prices

Consumers and traders of wild mango popularly known as ogbono have decried the rising cost of the produce in the country.

They disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

NAN reports that wild mango is a derivative for the fruit which is similar to mango and eaten as food.

The seeds are also eaten as food and used as medicine. Ogbono seeds are high in fiber which might help lower cholesterol.

The seeds might also affect fat cells, which might reduce fat cell growth and increase the breakdown of fats.

Ogbono is an ingredient common in native Nigerian soup from which it derived its name.

NAN reports that a milk tin cup of Ogbono currently sells for between N2,700 and N3,000 as against N1,000 it was sold in the first quarter of 2024.

While a ‘derica’ cup sells for between N10,500 and N11,500 as against N6,000 it was sold for in early 2024.

Speaking on the reasons for the price hike, an ogbono trader at the Ile-Epo market at the Oko-Oba area of the state, Mrs Eunice Edet, said the sudden increase in the price of ogbono was seasonal and would be more affordable once harvest season resumed.

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“The harvest season for the native mango, from which Ogbono is derived, usually starts from March towards April.

“About that time, there would be surplus of the produce and we should expect a drop in its price to the delight of both the customers and the traders.

“We urge customers to be patient with us as we expect a drop in the price soon,” Edet said.

On his part, Mr Emmanuel Ike, an ogbono trader at Alimosho market, attributed the hike in the price of the produce to the cost of logistics of moving it from the farm.

“Ogbono is not meant to be as expensive as it is, but like most agro produce, the inflation rate also affects it.

“It costs us more to transport the produce when we order it from the Southern parts of the country, it is only normal we add the costs to be able to break even.

“Also, ogbono is derived from the seed of the native mango, the cost of processing it to the final produce is also cost effective.

“We can only sell as we buy, so that is the situation of things,” Ike said.

Another ogbono vendor at Surulere axis of the state, Mr Felix Ayogu, said there are two types of ogbono seeds in the market, which are the ugili and ado varieties.

He said the ugili can be planted around the house, and the seeds are edible for those who cannot afford the wild mangoes.

“Ado is more expensive because it grows on a tree, and the cultivation process is tedious. Ado seeds are not edible without adequate processing.

“The process of removing the seed and drying is one of the main reasons why ogbono is relatively expensive. It takes a lot of manual process.

“It requires a specific climate and soil conditions for the bush mango tree to produce its fruits, which hinders large-scale cultivation,” Ayogu said.

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A consumer of the produce, Mrs Lara Ifatomi, said she still buys ogbono even though it is very expensive. It has a unique taste that you cannot compare to okro or ewedu.

“Ogbono has a unique taste that cannot be compared to any draw soup, it has its own unique taste.

“I have always preferred ogbono, and the price has not stopped me from buying it. In my opinion, it just tastes better,” she said.

Ifatomi added that buying food items had become tough as prices continue to soar with household commodities getting out of reach of the common man.

Another consumer of the produce, Mrs Eugenia Uloma, said with the sudden hike in the price of the produce, she can only buy what she can afford.

“I bought a ‘derica’ cup of ogbono at N10,000 two weeks ago but now I heard the same quantity sells at N11,500.

“I personally do not have an alternative for ogbono, so I just buy the quantity I can afford per time.

“Some people say okro is an alternative but it does not have the same consistency of Ogbono.

“We just hope we can afford it anytime we need to buy it because nobody is giving any reason for the price hike,” Uloma said.