Holiday Shopping Amidst Rising Market Prices

As Christmas approaches, market activity in Accra and other regions of Ghana has become a focal point, with inflation playing a significant role in shaping consumer spending. Despite the usual pre-Christmas rush, sales have been notably slower this year, largely due to the country’s rising inflation rate, which reached 23% in November 2024, the highest since May. The surge in inflation, particularly driven by food prices, has had a profound impact on both consumers’ purchasing power and market vendors, resulting in slower-than-expected sales in many marketplaces.

A comparison of two major markets—Agbogbloshie in Greater Accra and Kasoa New Market in the Central Region—reveals both price discrepancies and contrasting market dynamics that shed light on the challenges faced by sellers and buyers this festive season. These markets, although in different regions, face similar challenges caused by inflation, but the underlying reasons for the price variations differ.

At Agbogbloshie Market, one of the busiest in Accra, vendors have reported sluggish sales in the lead-up to Christmas. Auntie Agnes, a poultry seller, expressed concerns that her sales of broilers and layers have been low since early December. She believes that the aftermath of the elections, which saw many people travel to their hometowns to vote, has left Accra quieter than usual, impacting holiday shopping. “Since December 1, sales have been slow. I believe the elections had an impact because many people left the city to vote and are now spending Christmas in their villages,” she explained.

Similarly, Salifu Ibrahim, a seller of goats and sheep, linked the decline in sales to rising inflation, which has led many people to opt for cheaper alternatives like chicken. Ibrahim noted that while the price of livestock has increased, the cost of feed and other supplies has also risen, making it difficult for vendors to reduce prices. “With the rising prices of feed and supplies, it’s hard for us to lower our prices. Many people are now turning to chickens as a cheaper option for their Christmas meals,” he said. Despite the slower start to the season, James Asare, another livestock vendor, remained hopeful, predicting that sales would pick up as Christmas Day drew closer. “In my opinion, people aren’t shopping like they did last year. Many wait until the last minute to make their purchases, so I think sales will improve as we get closer to Christmas,” Asare said.

At Agbogbloshie, broilers are currently priced between 130 and 150 cedis, layers range from 100 to 120 cedis, and goats are priced from 1000 to 1200 cedis, depending on their size. Although the prices are relatively high, they reflect the increased costs vendors are facing due to inflation.

Meanwhile, the Kasoa New Market, located in the Central Region, also experienced slower-than-usual sales, but the outlook was somewhat more optimistic. Akoko Wura, a poultry vendor, noted that the market had yet to pick up in earnest but expected sales to rise significantly starting from December 24. “Although prices have increased this year, we expect a major surge in sales as Christmas gets closer,” she said. Broiler prices at Kasoa have risen to 160 cedis, and layers are now selling for 150 cedis, up from last year’s prices of 120 and 100 cedis, respectively.

Sherif Mohammed, another poultry seller, agreed that sales had been slower compared to previous years but was optimistic that things would improve. He explained that the increase in prices was necessary due to the rising costs of animal feed. “Inflation has forced us to raise prices, but I don’t think that’s the sole reason for the slow sales. Everything is more expensive this year compared to last Christmas,” Mohammed said. At Kasoa, broilers are currently priced at 150 cedis, layers at 120 cedis, and guinea fowl at 300 cedis.

The price differences between Agbogbloshie and Kasoa reflect the broader challenges caused by inflation and logistics in Ghana. Agbogbloshie vendors, being closer to the urban center, face higher transportation and storage costs, which are passed on to the consumers. In contrast, vendors at Kasoa benefit from being located closer to farming areas, which allows for somewhat lower prices.

With food inflation reaching 25.9% and rising living costs continuing to affect households, vendors in both markets are calling for government intervention to stabilize prices and alleviate the financial burden on consumers. As Christmas draws near, many remain hopeful that the festive spirit will lead to an increase in sales, despite the challenges posed by inflation.