The ongoing Ramadan fasting has taken its toll on food vendors as many of them lament over the low patronage they have recorded in the last few weeks.

While the Ramadan fasting is an Islamic rite to be observed by all Muslims, those who have borne the largest chunk of the brunt are food vendors and restaurateurs who have a good number of Muslims constituting their customer base. A survey carried out by CEOAFRICA revealed the downward trend in the sales made by popular food canteens and restaurants in the city.

Gone are the days when we earn as much as #15,000 naira daily. We anticipated the recession in sales because that has usually been the trend whenever Ramadan sets in. I am sure that after the Ramadan is over, business would pick up again’’ a head waiter said

I used to sell rice in front of the Central Mosque and many of these mallams used to buy breakfast from me every morning. Since the Ramadan began, my sales have fallen and I am really feeling the pinch’’ Alake, a 38-year old hawker said.

As for Amanda who manages a mini canteen at the famous motor park in New Garage, the Ramadan period has forced her to adjust the timing when she makes her sales. ‘’For this kind period, sales no dey go for morning. Na late in the even I dey bring egusi and swallow (referring to heavy dishes) come this place. Plenty of those Muslims dey come here come chop and market dey sell well well for night’’ She told CEOAFRICA.

The story has however been different among greengrocers who are keenly leveraging on the rise in the demand for fruits by Muslims. A visit to Sabo market by CEOAFRICA exposed how greengrocers have been reaping the gains of the recession being encountered by restaurateurs.

‘’I dey sell plenty plenty cucumber every day. Sometimes I fit sell reach two baskets for one day’’ One of them who identified himself as Adamu said. One of his fellow greengrocers who sell cabbage and lettuce also acknowledged the boost in sales since the Ramadan began.

‘’Market dey go well. When time reach for Maghrib (the prayer observed by Muslims around 7 p.m.), na for here them they come buy fruits’’ he revealed.

When asked why those fasting have resorted to fruits instead of cooked food, one of the Muslims who joined the discussion said; ‘’it is only rational that we eat fruits first before eating the proper food. The body has been dehydrated and starved of food for over 12 hours. The nutrient the body needs to get resuscitated in such situation is vitamins and minerals. Besides, it was a practice during the days of the Holy Prophet to break his fast with fruits’’

‘’My wife is also a food hawker but I have restricted her from engaging in the trade until the Ramadan is over’’ Mahmud said

There has also been a drastic change in the social atmosphere of the city since the Ramadan began. According to the landlord of a famous club in Ibadan who spoke with CEOAFRICA, the social pattern has changed in recent weeks.

‘’The number of customers who throng to my club on Fridays and Saturdays used to be enormous. Many of my customers seem to have taken a break since the Ramadan started. Even those who are Christians among them don’t really feel enthusiastic about clubbing nowadays. We knew this would happen during Ramadan so we also adjusted our stocks so as not to run at a loss’’ he said.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and fasting during the days of this month is a mandatory exercise for all Muslims. With over twenty days gone in this month of Ramadan, business owners in the city are optimistic that their business fortunes would witness a surge very soon.