Beverage vendors record low sales in Yobe due to harmattan

Some soft drinks vendors in Damaturu, Yobe have decried low sales due to low patronage occasioned by the harmattan season.

Harmattan season is typical with Sahel region of West Africa which occurs between November and March.

It is characterized by dust, haze and dry air blowing from the Sahara Desert in the north over the south and western parts of the continent into the Gulf of Guinea.

A cross-section of the vendors, who spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday in Damaturu, described the market condition as discouraging.

Muhammed Shattima, a soft drinks vendor, said the demand for soft drinks has drastically reduced affecting his turnover.

“Now the demand for soft drinks has dropped by about 50 per cent compared to the summer period when the sun shines most and the thirsty level among people is higher”, he said.

Another vendor, Luka Tizhe added that: “During hot weather, I hardly have time to spare due to a high number of customers buying chilled soft drinks or water to keep themselves hydrated.

“I now sold less than five sachets of water as against 15 or 20 sachets in a day, likewise beverages”, Tizhe said.

On his part, Zira Tari, noted that the trend had resulted in a serious cut in his earnings making it difficult to fend for his family.

“It is not easy sustaining my life and family. I am left with no option but feed my family from the little I have been saving for other purposes”.