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Some coconut sellers in Tema Community One say there has been a significant boost in sales due to the harsh Harmattan season.
They revealed that due to the dryness of the air and its resultant dehydration, many people were turning to coconut water as a natural way to stay hydrated and cool their bodies. They added that the surge in demand has led to increased profits for coconut sellers, with many reporting higher earnings compared to other seasons.
The sellers noted that apart from them making more income from the business, they were also contributing to the local economy and the health of the people by providing a much-needed nutritious product during this time of year. Mr. Daniel Arhin, a coconut seller, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), shared that the harmattan season was particularly lucrative for his business.
“I sell a lot during these seasons, I can go two to three rounds of stock in a day, depending on consumer demand. It’s tiring but worth it because I make a lot of profit,” he said.
He mentioned that selling coconuts was his only source of income to cater to his family, adding that it had been a good job for him for the past five years.
Mr. Lucas Arthur, another coconut vendor in Tema Community One, revealed that his sales significantly increased during the dry season, noting that he had to hawk to many communities within Tema to meet the demand of his customers.
“I believe people crave coconuts during this time, so I don’t stay in one location; I move from one community to another,” he explained.
He added that the continuous increment in the price of coconut was due to factors such as transport fares, as the coconut was transported from the Central Region and other parts of the country to Tema Community One, where they also buy it from.
Some consumers, however, lamented that the price of coconut was too high, as one is currently being sold for a minimum of GHs7.00.
Ms. Josephine Aryee, a nurse, highlighted numerous health benefits of coconut, including blood sugar control, weight management, improved oral health, and enhanced skin health, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
She, however, noted that selling at GHs7.00 was high and could discourage people from consuming it and getting the nutrition it contains.
Source: GNA
