Tea makers, known as ‘Mai shayi’, in Abuja are facing a decline in business due to the rapid increase in the price of Indomie instant noodles.
These Mai shayi, predominantly operated by Hausa men in makeshift kiosks, sell fast food items like noodles, fried eggs, bread, and tea.
Speaking to NAN, the Mai shayi expressed concern over the rising prices of Indomie noodles, a popular fast food enjoyed by many Nigerians.
A carton of Indomie standard pack, containing 40 pieces, now sells for between N10,500 to N11,500.
The Super Pack, with 40 packs, is sold for between N17,800 to N18,700, while the Hungry Man size, containing 24 packs, goes for between N16,800 to N17,500.
At the retail level, a packet of the standard size sells for N300, the Super Pack for N500, and the Hungry Man for N700.
However, prices are significantly higher in supermarkets, with the standard size selling for N330 per pack and N13,200 per carton, while the Hungry Man size is sold for N845 per packet and N20,280 per carton.
Mai shayi operators lamented that the price increase has led to a decline in patronage, as customers can no longer afford to buy Indomie noodles in large quantities.
They cited examples of selling a Hungry Man size for N750, up from N400 a month ago, and a Super Pack for N550, up from N300.
This has resulted in customers buying fewer packs than before, with some unable to afford the additional cost of fried eggs, which used to accompany their meals.
The increase in prices is attributed to rising costs at the market, with a carton of Super Pack jumping from N11,500 to N18,500.
The consensus among the Mai shayi is that the current prices have pushed many customers away, impacting their businesses significantly.
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