Hausa tea makers, commonly known as ‘Mai shayi,’ are experiencing a decline in business, particularly with Indomie noodles, due to the escalating prices.
Speaking to NAN in Abuja, they attributed the low patronage to the rapid increase in the cost of Indomie instant noodles.
These tea makers, primarily operated by Hausa men in makeshift kiosks, offer fast food like noodles, fried eggs, bread, and tea in various parts of Abuja, such as estates and roadside stalls.
NAN’s market survey reveals a surge in Indomie prices.
A carton of the smallest standard pack (40 pieces) is now sold between N10,500 to N11,500.
The Super Pack (40 packs) ranges from N17,800 to N18,700, and the Hungry Man size (24 packs) is priced between N16,800 to N17,500.
Additionally, single packets are sold at N300 for the standard size, N500 for the Super Pack, and N700 for the Hungry Man size.
Notably, supermarket prices for individual packets and cartons are even higher.“Many of my customers are complaining because of the increase in price of indomie and they are not buying like before, ” he said.
Another Mai Shayi, Mustapha Abba, in Gaduwa, said his customers had reduced because they could no longer afford to buy indomie.“I was making one super pack for N350 three weeks ago but now I make it for N600, while the hungry man was N450 now it is N850.”
He added, “Before, when you come to my stand, you will see many people in the morning and evening but they are no longer coming like before.
“Some people that used to buy two packs can only afford one pack now. Some don’t even request eggs again.
“We are not making much gain from this business. If we are to sell to make a good profit, we will not see anybody again,” he said.
Another Mai Shayi in Bwari Area Council, Gambo Haruna, also said he had witnessed a drop in patronage for indomie due to the price increase.
“Before we used to buy indomie N5,000, it increased to N6,000 and continued increasing. Now it is over N10,000, some N11, 000, depending on the size.
“Customers must reduce, they cannot afford it again because of the price now,” he said.”Also, Mohammed Hassan, who runs a Mai Shayi business in Wuse Zone 6, corroborated what his colleagues had earlier said.
“Hungry man is N800 and the super pack is N700 without egg. Before hungry man with two eggs was N850, while super pack with two eggs was N700.
”The price keeps increasing whenever I go to the market. A carton of super pack was formerly N11,500 but now it is N18,500. My customers have really reduced. They say they can no longer afford it,” he said.
