Sachet water producers and distributors in Kwara State have expressed deep concern over declining sales and escalating operational costs following a recent price adjustment of "pure water" from N400 to N500 per bag. The increase, which has sparked reactions among residents and small business owners, is attributed to rising fuel and transportation expenses that operators say threaten their survival.
Price Adjustment Blamed on Fuel Hike
Ibrahim Alfaiwo, a distributor manager for GT Water in Ilorin West Local Government Area, explained that the price change was unavoidable. "We had to increase the price from N400 to N500 per bag because of the hike in fuel. Distribution relies heavily on vehicles, and transport costs have risen significantly," he said. He added that despite the increase, sales have dropped noticeably. "Customers complain daily, and some have stopped buying in bulk. But we have no choice; if we don't adjust, we can't survive."
Factory Owners and Vendors Share Struggles
Other producers across Ilorin corroborated these claims, describing the situation as a growing crisis. Majeed Olaoti, a factory owner in the Adewole area, noted that production material and logistics costs have nearly doubled. "It's not just fuel. The cost of nylon, treatment chemicals, and even labour has increased. Consumers don't understand that we are barely making a profit. Some of us are managing just to stay afloat. We are not thinking about profit anymore; the focus is survival. If fuel keeps increasing, more factories will close," he lamented.
Retail sellers also reported reduced demand at the grassroots level. A sachet water vendor in Mandate market said customers now buy fewer bags or seek alternatives. "Before, I could sell many bags daily. Now, people price it and walk away. Some buy just one or two sachets instead of a full bag. It's affecting our daily income," she said.
Related Price Hike in Kano
In a similar development, table water producers in Kano State raised the price of sachet water from N220 to at least N300 per bag, citing higher costs for packaging materials, fuel, and unstable electricity supply. The Association of Table Water Producers attributed the adjustment to rising production and operational costs.
