Some businesses in the hamper value chain often record an increase in sales during Christmas.
But for many cane weavers in Kumasi as hundreds of baskets used for gift packages remain stuck in their shops.
With a tape measure, 11-year-old Nana Akwesi carefully measures and cuts plywood ready to weave a cane basket.
He's able to weave about 10 hamper baskets in a day.
"I always come to the shop every day Saturdays to help my mom. I'm able to weave 10 baskets in a day if there's enough cane," he said.
After the death of Akwesi's father, he had to assist his mom in the basket weaving business. So, according to him, he's saving money from the business to buy Christmas clothes.
"Anytime my mom sends me to deliver the baskets; I always make sure I save some of the money when they pay. I want to buy shoes and clothes this Christmas," he noted.
Although the cane price is stable, Akwesi's mom laments that the price of plywood used for the basket keeps increasing.
She attributes the price hike to the increase in fuel prices.
"The price of plywood used to be 350 Ghana cedis, but it has been increased to 500 cedis," she revealed.
To stay in business, prices of the cane baskets have been increased. Though patronage has been slow, they are hoping to cash in, in a few days.
"We've added ¢2 to ¢5 to the original price of the baskets. We're hoping to sell all the baskets in a few days," she said.
The increase in the price of cane baskets has affected the cost of Christmas hampers.
So, make sure you have enough cash on you to buy a Christmas hamper.
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