Frozen food sellers in Lagos are grappling with rising operational costs and declining sales due to unstable electricity supply and increasing fuel prices.
Many traders say their businesses, which rely heavily on constant power to preserve perishable goods such as chicken, turkey, and fish, are under pressure as they turn to generators to stay afloat.
A frozen food dealer at Ijora-Olopa, Chika Oluehi, said the cost of running his business has surged, forcing him to adjust prices to remain viable. According to him, a carton of turkey that previously sold for about ₦85,000 now goes for between ₦105,000 and ₦110,000, while chicken has risen from about ₦39,000–₦41,000 to around ₦46,000.
He explained that erratic electricity supply has made generators indispensable, though they are not always efficient in preserving goods. “The generator only chills the freezer; it doesn’t completely prevent spoilage,” he said, adding that he has explored solar-powered options, though they are not a complete solution.
The rising cost of fuel has also increased transportation expenses, further pushing up prices and reducing customer purchasing power. Oluehi noted that some customers have either stopped buying or reduced the quantity they purchase.
In Surulere, a trader, Mojisola Kazeem, said she had temporarily suspended her frozen food business due to the high cost of fuel and unreliable electricity.
Similarly, a fish seller in Mushin, Bose Adeyemi, said she now stocks smaller quantities to minimise losses. She explained that without steady electricity, storing large volumes of fish is too risky.
A cold-room operator in Agege, Sulaiman Adebayo, said many traders now share storage facilities to cut costs, although cold-room operators have also increased their fees due to rising fuel prices.
The situation has also affected other small businesses. Yetunde Afolabi, a soft drink seller at Yaba Market, said poor electricity supply has reduced her sales, as customers prefer chilled drinks. She noted that running a generator all day is not sustainable due to fuel costs, leading to frequent losses when drinks become warm.
Traders say unless electricity supply improves and fuel prices stabilise, more small businesses may be forced to scale down or shut operations.