How we make fortune from charcoal – Traders

By Sunday Ogundiran

Despite the fact that many people are now turning to cooking gas, demand for charcoal has not been affected as traders disclosed that they still make fortunes from the products.

Speaking with ECHOINEWS, the leader of the Charcoal Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Ejigbo branch, Mrs. Aishat Ganiu revealed that the charcoal business is still thriving as people continue to demand for it.

According to her, probably due to its low price, users of the products have kept demanding for it in large quantity.

She noted that apart from domestic use, some small scale canteens use charcoal to cook their foods.

Asked where the traders get their supply from, Ganiu said it is mostly produced in Oyo state especially the Oke-Ogun axis of the state.

“Oyo state especially Eruwa, Iganan, Lanlate, Iseyin and Ilero are the main producers of charcoal, they are the only places that have forest, farm lands with trees in large quantity. Due to this reason, they have been known for their charcoal production business.

She said some of the traders of charcoals in Ejigbo jointly import the product from Oyo with big truck that carries about 220 bags while small truck contain 74 plus.

As she said, a bag of charcoal is sold at the rate of N2,500 or thereabout depending on the suppliers who are the dominant determiner of price, adding that factors such as weather and place they are to supply also determine price.

She noted that during raining season, charcoal is always difficult to get thus making it scarce and raising the price.

However, Ganiu said that some of the local traders have learned how to export the products and are now making good money.