Scarcity of the Lagos-Kebbi States brand of local rice popularly known as LAKE Rice has hit Lagos markets.
NAN correspondents’ visits to some of the major markets and distribution outlets within the state showed that there was no LAKE rice brand on display or in stock for sale to consumers.
Some retail traders at major markets and distributors of the product told NAN that they had yet to restock after exhausting the stocks they had since September and October.
One of the distributors Augustina Nwanze said she was still expecting new stocks which she had ordered for since October.
“I paid for new stocks of the product but unfortunately they had yet to be delivered.
“Once l receive a phone call from Alausa to come and pick the products, l will go and pick them.
“The delivery is usually on first come first serve, so l am waiting for my turn,” Mrs Nwanze said.
Another distributor Bimbo Ogun said she ran out of stock since early November.
“I have been telling my customers to be patient as the product will soon be available, especially since it is festive season,” Mrs Ogun said.
A senior member of staff in the state ministry of agriculture who pleaded anonymity told NAN that the product was not available now for sale to the public.
“There has been some logistics challenge which accounted for the delay and scarcity of the rice.
“However, the ministry is working hard to make sure that the product is available especially during the festive season.
“For now, we are appealing to the distributors and customers to bear with us.
‘’A 50kg bag of LAKE Rice sells for N12, 000; 25 kg at N6,000; and 10kg goes for N3,000,’’ the source said.
