Over the last one year, there has been a continuous increase in prices of food items for reasons ranging from the high cost of transportation, increasing inability of farmers to go to farms due to insecurity, and foreign exchange complications. A survey by our reporters across the country shows that although certain food prices have dropped in some states, the same cannot be said for other food items with traders attributing the price drop to harvest glut.
Sokoto
Cost of foodstuffs still remains high in Sokoto. Nigerian Tribune, earlier this week, gathered that a bag of foreign parboiled rice in the market goes for N85,000 while same size of 50kg for local rice is between N70,000 and N75,000. A full bag of beans costs N280,000.
A full basket of tomatoes at the popular Kasuwa Daji goes for between N52,000 and N55,000.
A full bag of onions at Kara market is sold for between N110,000 and N120,000, while a 10kg of Semovita is N18,000 in the market. A family size loaf of bread sells for between N1,600 and 1,800.
A measure (mudu) of garri costs N3,000; maize N2,800 while same quality of Guinea corn 2,700 and plate of Beans starts from 6,500 upward.
Plateau
In Plateau State, the story is a bit different with the price of essential commodities being forced down after the recent #End bad governance which resulted in a glut.
Nigerian Tribune findings revealed that throughout the days that the protest lasted in the state, farmers could not bring their produce such as tomatoes, peppers, onion among others to the market, thereby leading to a surplus. The glut was compounded by the curfew imposed in parts of the state, especially Jos, the state capital during the protest.
Checks further revealed that a basket of tomatoes, which was N25,000 before the protest, has gone down to N18,000 while prices of onion and pepper have equally gone down marginally.
A cross section of traders at the popular tomato market at Farin-Gada in the Jos North Local Government Area of the state disclosed that the prices of tomatoes, onion, and pepper, among others, might shoot up after this week when the excess supply might have been exhausted.
“This is not the season; the glut in the market was due to the last protest and the curfew imposed by the state government where farmers could not bring harvested farm produce to the market,” a trader said.
In Jos, foreign rice costs N94,000 as against the previous price of N84,000; while local rice ranges between N68,000 and N75,000. A bag of Irish potatoes which was sold for N40,000 two weeks ago, is now N54,000.
Kaduna
Some traders interviewed by the Nigerian Tribune have attributed the hike in the prices of essential commodities to the just concluded nationwide protest held across the country.
Abdulaziz Ibrahim, a trader at Kasuwar Kwari told Nigerian Tribune that the price of one bag of beans has jumped from N195,000 to N205,000. Also, a bag of rice has jumped from N77,000 to N79,000.
Also, it was gathered that a bag of millet has also jumped from N95,000 to N106,000. A bag of Sugar is being sold now at N80,000.
Ibrahim also revealed that a carton of spaghetti is now N22,000 up from N14,000.
Findings also gathered that the prices of tomatoes, and pepper, however, have crashed. According to Mustapha Usman, a measure is now sold for N2,000 from N8,000.
However, he was quick to add that the prices of onions have skyrocketed. A bag is now being sold at N100,000.
Kano
In the ancient city of Kano, prices of food items have continued to increase according to a survey carried out at major markets in the state.
A bag of rice costs between N80,000 and N84,000 as against between N78,000 and N80,000 it was earlier sold.
Malam Muhamnad Gwarzo who sells food items at Abubakar Rimi Market told Nigerian Tribune that a bag of beans sells for between N200,000 and N204,000, as against between N180,000 and N190,000. He said garri costs between N60,000 and N80,000 depending on the quality.
However, the price of tomatoes in major markets has drastically came down as a bag sold for between N80,000 and N 90,000 has come down to between N58,000 and N70,000.
However, the price of pepper still continues to rise. Sold for between N100,000 and N120,000 previously, it now costs N130,000 to N150,000.
Niger
Residents of Minna, the Niger capital have decried the astronomical rise in the prices of foodstuffs and essential commodities in the markets, lamenting that it was making life unbearable for families.
They said that the prices of foodstuffs in the markets were lower last year than the current year.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey in Minna on Monday revealed that many families now find it difficult to eat a balanced diet daily.
Mr Innocent Ani, a provision shopowner in Abdulkadir Kure Market, said 2023 was better because he sold a 50kg bag of foreign rice for N50,000 and the local rice for N40,000. It is now N85,000 for the foreign one as the local brand goes for N80,000.
Ani told NAN that a roll of 14 grammes of Peak milk sachet which sold for N750 and N800 in 2023 is now N1,500. He said that in 2023, 1kg of garri sold for N1,500 but now sells for N2,000.
The trader said that the high cost of living has resulted in low patronage as families now buy only what to feed on and not ostentatious goods anymore.
Malam Anas Usman, a trader in the same market, said that a measure (mudu) of beans which used to cost N1,200 last year is now N3,100.
A shopkeeper at Minna City-gate, Malam Magaji Ibrahim, said that a medium size loaf of bread which increased from N600 to N800 in 2023, was now sold from N1,300 to N1,500.
Mrs Dorothy Garba, a housewife, said that it now takes the grace of God for husband and wife not to quarrel on daily basis over high cost of living.
She said, “This small bag I am carrying here contains foodstuffs of N15,000. But before, I would use two bagco bags to carry food items of N15,000.
“The government should do something to help us because I don’t know where we are heading to.”
Hajiya Hauwa Mohammed, who roasts maize at Mobile Roundabout, Minna said she used to sell one for N100 in 2023. Today she sells same for between N200 and N250.
Kogi
The prices of basic food items in Lokoja state capital of Kogi State have seen a reduction.
When Nigerian Tribune visited central market, it was discovered that a full basket that cost N140,000 before is now N40,000 while a full basket of pepper has reduced from N60,000 to N25,000.
The price of rice has reduced depending on the type. Local rice was N75,000 but is now N60,000. The price of beans is yet to reduce in the market. White beans is being sold at the cost of N200,000 per bag while red beans cost N280,000 per bag.
Some marketers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kogi faulted the insinuation that prices of commodities in the markets have reduced due to the nationwide protests.
Alhaji Usman Bello, a tomatoes, pepper, onions and potatoes seller at Okene Market, said the decrease in prices of Yam, Irish and sweet potatoes, tomatoes and potatoes, Pepper were due to the ongoing harvest of such by farmers.
“Farmers are harvesting yams, Irish and sweet potatoes, tomatoes and pepper in their farms this time around, and their availability and flooding of the markets are attributed to a drop in their prices.”
Hajiya Zainab Bashir, a vegetable seller at Lokogoma market said that prices of ugwu, water leaves, spinach leaves and ewedu have drastically dropped.
“Until the Federal Government reduces the price of petrol, prices of food items will not drop to help reduce the hardship we Nigerians are passing through,” Bashir said.
Mrs Alice Emeka, a petty trader at Natako market says a Jerry Can of palm oil and groundnut oil are being sold for N55,000 and N35,000 as against N40,000 and N30,000 respectively a month ago.
She, however, attributed the rise in the prices as a result of the high cost of petroleum in the state which has also brought about high cost of transportation.
“We have been crying and appealing to President Bola Tinubu to help reduce the price of Petrol so that prices of commodities in the markets can drop,” she said.
Nasarawa
Prices of foodstuffs have remained high in Nasarawa State. Saidu Abubakar, a trader who sells rice at the Lafia Modern Market, said a mudu of rice which was sold for N1,800 now sells for N2000.
According to him, the price of rice has not dropped as is being speculated, noting that the traders are not responsible for the inflation because they are buying at a high price to resell.
Esther Emeka, who sells plantain at Modern Market, Lafia told NAN that a bunch of plantain that was being sold for N8,000 now goes for between N15,000 and N20,000.
Edo
Prices of food items in Benin City, the Edo State Capital have continued to hit the rooftop on a daily basis as residents have appealed to state and federal government to come to their help.
Nigerian Tribune went to some notable markets including Oba, Oliha, Agbado, Uselu and Ugbiyokho and Satana markets, all in the Benin metropolis and observed that a bag of rice which was sold for N65,000 is now selling for N85,000 and N100,000 000, depending on the brand.
It was observed that beans have become the highest selling grain in the market as a bag sells for as high as N250,000 and N300,000.
A bag of garri is selling for N35,000 and N37,000 as against N16,000, while small paint container of garri is sold between N4,000 and N4,2000.
Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, Madam Amadasu Esther, a trader in Oba Market, complained of low patronage and high cost of living in the state, lamenting that most of her customers cannot afford the current prices of food items in the market.
Earlier, President of Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, said that the high rate of food prices in Edo State is the handiwork of some middlemen who serve as union leaders, and suggested that there should be a control price in food items in Benin.
Anambra
Nigerian Tribune visited markets in Awka in Anambra State and reported that the mood at Awka and Amaenyi markets, the two popular food markets in the city, did not tell the story of comfort and satisfaction as both sellers and buyers spoke about economic difficulties.
A bag of beans of different varieties is currently sold at N90,000 to N110,000 as against its previous cost of N60,000 to N65,000. A paint bucket-measure of beans is now N8,500 as against the old price of N3,000 to N4,000. A cup of beans which was sold at N500 to N600 now sells at N700 to N800, depending on the variety.
Similarly, a paint bucket-size measure of garri is sold at N2,500 as against the old price of N1,200. A tuber of yam is sold between N2,500 and N4,000, depending on the size.
However, fresh tomatoes and fresh pepper have recorded cost reduction as a basket of fresh tomatoes sold at N60,000 to N70,000 is now selling at N50,000 to N55,000 depending on the basket size, while a basket of pepper is now N64,000.
Speaking on the development, some of the traders linked the unstable prices to the current economic situation in the country which they said has left prices high.
They called on the Federal Government to equip the farmers for mass production and look into the killing of farmers by herdsmen, particularly in Benue and other states in northern Nigeria.
Oyo
A survey carried out by Nigerian Tribune in the state indicated that there has been a reduction in the prices of certain food items while others are still on the rise.
Mrs Mariam Aliu, a trader at Bode market in Ibadan, said, “Though the price of tomato has dropped, the cost of pepper is still on high side.”
A trader at Oja Oba market Mrs Iyabo Ojo said, “Prices of food goes up and down.” According to her, the price of a bag of rice is currently N75,000 while a bag of beans is sold for N200,000
A trader, Femi Babalola who deals in sales of grains stated that a measure (congo) of corn is sold for N1,300 while that of millet is sold for N1,600.
A yam flour seller, Mrs Muibat Habeeb, told Nigerian Tribune that yam flour sold for N5,000 is now being sold at N10,000 while the smallest measurement previously sold for N3,000 is now N5,000
“The cost of transportation is very high and adversely contributes to the cost of yam flour. Insecurity also contributes greatly to the problem,” she added
Mallam Yakubu Alli who sells onion at Molete Market in Ibadan stated that 40 pieces of large-sized onion which was previously sold between N2,000 and N2,500 now costs N11,000.
Lagos
In Lagos, there has been some relief as regards the persistent increase in the prices of basic food items.
Notably, the price of tomatoes has reduced. A small bucket of round tomatoes which was sold between N8,000 and N12,000 as of July is currently sold between N4,000 and N6,000.
Prices of other food items such as bean, wheat, cassava flour have also reduced marginally, while some such as yam flour increased in price.
Speaking on the price increase, Aderonke Rebecca, a foodstuff trader, complained that aside the increase in transport fare, the weather has affected some of farm produce as the quality was not too good, citing the example of yam flour and cassava flour.
Marvelous Christian, a beans seller at the Oke Odo market projects that the prices of beans will soon be reduced as farmers prepare for the harvest of new beans, noting that the reduction currently seen is as a result of people selling off their barn in preparation for the harvest of beans.
Ogun
Prices of some of foodstuffs have fallen in some parts of Ogun, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Checks by NAN at major markets in Abeokuta and Sango-Ota on Monday revealed that some food items are now being sold at lower prices.
NAN reports that five tubers of yam, formerly sold at N25,000, now go for N18, 000, while a big basket of sweet potatoes, formerly sold at N20,000, now sells for N14,000.
Also, a basin of yam flour (Amala), formerly being sold for N27,000, now sells for between for N22,000, while a bag of beans, formerly sold at N220,000, is now N190,000.
Similarly, big baskets of pepper and tomatoes, formerly sold at N90,000 and N110,000 respectively, now go for N75,000 and N90,000.
Why some food prices have dropped
Some Nigerians, who spoke in separate interviews with NAN, have expressed divergent views on the reduction in the prices of the food items.
While some of them attributed the development to current the harvest period, others denied any noticeable reduction in prices, in view of high transportation costs.
Mr Timothy Eweoba, Chairman, Fruit and Vegetable Farmers, Ogun State chapter, noted that the reduction in prices of food items is a result of the current harvesting season.
“The major reason behind gradual reduction in price of tomatoes is that our crops are ready for harvesting now, and the produce is being brought to the market.
“By this time last year, we sold a 25kg basket of tomatoes for N15,000 and 40kg for N40,000.
“Now, the 40kg is sold for about N60,000, while the 25kg goes for between N25,000 and N30,000, depending on the type of tomatoes. We have local tomatoes and the improved ones which are very expensive,” he said.
On storage facilities, Eweoba appealed to the government to come to the aid of farmers, saying that accessing storage facilities had been very costly, with most farmers not having enough resources to meet up.
“We are appealing to government to assist us because during post-harvest period, the produce we are losing is more than what we bring to the market.
“During the rainy season, many of our tomatoes do get spoilt in the farm during harvesting. Before we put them into baskets and bring them to the market, many of them would have become rotten.
“So, if there are storage facilities, it will help us to sustain the crops and they will be available all-year round, while losses will also be reduced,” he said.
A restaurant owner in Abeokuta, Mrs Dorcas Adebowale, admitted that the price of yam had reduced, but argued that that of plantains had remained the same.
Adebowale said that if nothing was done about the cost of transporting food items and farm products to the market, their prices would continue to rise on a yearly basis.
“For plantain, we have to wait till mid-September before it can be cheaper than what obtains now because they’ve just started harvesting.”
Similarly, from Nasarawa State, Dr Yunusa Halidu, National Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, has said prices of foodstuff especially yam, plantain and tomatoes are down due to the harvesting of the food items.
“It’s not the effort of the government that brought down the prices of these foodstuffs because we don’t even import them in the first place.
“It is actually due to the fact that this is the harvest time for these foodstuffs, hence their availability and drop in prices,” he said.
Halidu explained further that during the harvest period, prices of foodstuffs tend to fall but increase after the harvest.
He said the reduction of foodstuffs was a short-term measure.
He said, “Smallholder farmers are the reason for the reduction of the prices because during harvest period they are forced to quickly take the agricultural produce to the markets and sell because they don’t have storage facilities.
“Some of them sell what they have to get quick income to take care of personal needs like paying school fees and so on. So that’s the reality. It’s not really the effort of government.”
Why food prices remain high
On the other hand, Alhaji Shehu Galadima, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Niger State, attributed the increase in the prices of foodstuffs and essential commodities to the current economic downturn, security challenges hindering farmers activities.
Galadima said other factors included climate change, flooding and late intervention by the government as agricultural activities were time-bound.
He advised the government to create a price control board and be proactive in providing inputs and implements at subsidised rates, to ensure all-season farming.
The AFAN chairman called for a decisive action against insecurity by the government in order to attract foreign investors to grow the country’s economy.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, attributed the situation to the greed and focus on huge profit by some marketers.
Ojomah said, “Our marketers should be considerate because making gain at the detriment of other fellow citizens is not good at all, especially that food scarcity is all over the country.
“A small and good margin of gain should be enough, because making a huge gain at the detriment of others is not too good.”
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