Prices of food staples have soared amidst Easter celebration by the Christians, Daily Trust survey has shown.

The market survey conducted in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, neighboring Nasarawa and Niger States revealed that prices of food staples and other condiments have increased by an almost 20% since the last quarter of 2008.

Economists have painted a gloomy picture for the country's economy in 2009.

At the popular Wuse market in Abuja, a bag of caprice rice which used to sell at N8,200 few months before the Easter has risen to an all time high price of N9,300, while a bag of Stallion rice now goes for N8,600 as against the initial price of N8,000.

A bag of local rice which was N7,300 has now risen to N7,700, while a cartoon of Spaghetti now maintained a price of N1,900 from the previous price of N1,800.

Another family delight during periods of festivities, "beans" has equally skyrocketed to N18,000 from its previous price of N15,000, an almost 10% rise which buyers have to contend with.

A bag of semovita has also increased to N1,400 from the initial price of N1,300; and a bag of red Garri which was N7,500 initially has risen to N7,900.

Speaking on the reason for the increase in the prices of food stuff, Malam Sani Husseini who is a grain dealer said that the climb could be attributed to the short supply of dollar which has consequently caused an increase in cost of importation.

"The increase is not sudden. It has been like this for the last 6 months since the country started experiencing the negative effect of the meltdown. Importers have increased their prices in order to break even. We have to increase our own price too", he added.

Another trader, Malam Aliyu Mohammed attributed the increase to the Easter celebration which often comes with increase in virtually all spheres of life.

"The Easter is coinciding with the recent rise in cost of transportation due to the artificial fuel scarcity experienced. We have no choice other than to increase our prices too", said Mr. Emeka, another trader in Wuse market.

However, some food items have dropped in price despite the mad rush for profit maximization by sellers.

A medium sized basket of tomatoes which was sold at N900 during the last two festivities of Sallah and Christmas has now dropped to N600, while a basket of onion now goes for N500 as against N700.

A kilo of beef which was N700 before has reduced to N600, while a small sized stocked fish now goes for N800 from the previous price of N1, 000.

Malam Nura Aliyu, a tomato seller said that the reduction is as a result of the raining season, adding, "cost of perishable goods tend to be low during the raining season".

Investigations by Daily Trust in the popular Maraba food market in Nasarawa state revealed a rise in prices of food items too.

A small bowl of beans which was N150 before the Easter celebration has increased to N250, while a "mudu" of sugar now sells for N200 as against N220.

The story is the same in Niger State as well with prices of staples and other condiments.

Investigation carried out by Daily Trust across major markets in Lagos weekend revealed that prices of food stuffs have been jerked up slightly compared to prices before the Easter festival.

Though some of the food stuffs like semovita, pepper and yam maintained their pre-festive prices, others had their prices increased for about five per cent increment.

Our correspondent gathered from Ikotun, Egbeda and Iyana-Ipaja markets that price of bag of rice which before this period used to go for between N8000 and N8500 is now sold for between N8500 and N9000 depends on the type.