Nigerians groan as food prices soar across country

Nigerians are currently facing more hardship as prices of foodstuffs rise astronomically.

Reports from several states including Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Ondo and Rivers revealed that the cost of staple foods that Nigerians consume on a regular basis has skyrocketed, with buyers and sellers blaming insecurity for the high cost of things and low sale. 

This is just as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that inflation rate in the country for the month of March was 18.17 per cent, the highest in recent times. 

Traders disclosed that although the ongoing Ramadan season which is being observed by Muslims worldwide is often attended by slight rise in prices of commodities, the current inflation is unprecedented. 

With inflation joining the mix of challenges that currently plague the country, experts have warned that the current hardship being faced by Nigerians may still be compounded in the coming months. In a report by Reuters on Friday, the World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that food prices in West Africa have jumped more than 30% since last year to their highest levels in nearly a decade due to coronavirus lockdowns and a decline in cereal production. 

According to the UN organisation, more than 31 million people are expected to become food insecure between June and August, raising the risk of a health emergency as the region contends with conflicts and COVID-19. 

“Soaring prices are pushing a basic meal beyond the reach of millions of poor families who were already struggling to get by,” said Chris Nikoi, WFP’s Regional Director for West Africa. Across the region, prices of local staples such as rice are nearly 40% higher than five-year averages and in some countries staples cost more than double their average price, WFP said. 

About 800,000 of the nearly 2.7 million people WFP has identified as being at risk of famine are in Nigeria’s arid North-Eastern states, where millions have been displaced by the long-running Boko Haram insurgency. 

The current high prices of foodstuffs in the ancient city of Kano have been attributed to the Ramadan period being observed across the world. 

This was just as some traders said the high cost of rice can best be linked to the frequent raid being carried out by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, which forced many traders to hoard their goods to avert confiscation during market raids. 

However, many traders also attributed the current inflation to insecurity as many farmers have abandoned their farms for the fear of being kidnapped or worse.

At major markets in Kano, the prices of rice, beans, yam flour, and garri have gone up. 

As a result, many Nigerians are grappling with the difficulty in providing for their families owing to the constant drop in their purchasing power. 

At the Yankurwa and Tarrsuni markets, it was discovered that the price of a foreign bag of rice now goes for between N26,000 and N28,000, depending on the quality of the product. 

According to a rice trader at Singer market, Kano, Malam Ibrahim Buba, it is common for many traders to hoard their products to create artificial scarcity during Ramadan, thereby forcing the price to increase. 

However, Hajiya Aminat Kolo who sells grains at the Abubakar Rimi market said that the high price of foodstuffs can be attributed to the fear of traders who are afraid to travel long distance because of growing spate of kidnapping. 

She then added that a recent raid of the market by men of the Customs Service has worsened the situation as seizure of goods has made scarcity inevitable. 

It was discovered that a bag of rice which was recently sold at Singer market for N23,000 – N24,000 now goes for N28,000. Further investigations revealed that a bag of garri which was N20,000 now sells at N25,000, depending on the quality of the products. Aside that, the price of pepper has also gone up. 

According to Alhaji Gwarzo Yahya at Tarauni market, a bag of pepper which was N10,500 now sells at N18,000, while the price of tomatoes has also jumped to about N20,500 as against N17,500. 

Prices of foodstuffs in Ondo 

A survey across markets in Ondo State indicated a 25 to 35 per cent increase in the prices of foodstuffs while many the foodstuff sellers attributed the increase to the ongoing Ramadan fast. 

At the Akure central market, Oja Oba, a trader, Madam Esther, said the prices of palm oil and vegetables oil have increased, adding that “We used to buy 30 litres of palm oil at N10,000 but now we buy at N14,000. So, we sell a keg of five litres for N2,400 which used to go for N1,900/N2,000. 

“A 30-litre keg of vegetable oil is now N23,000 against N18,500 and we sell for N750 instead of the previous price of N600.” A rice trader at the market, Mrs. Florence Adaku, said the prices of a bag of imported rice has gone up to between N24,000 and N29,000 as against the former prices of between N16,000 and N18,000 before Ramadan. She said a bowl of imported rice is now N1,000 while the local rice is sold at 800. She said brown beans has also moved up from N14,500 a bag to N27,000 while a bowl is now sold at N900. She however said the white beans is the hot cake in the market now, saying, “Many people now prefer to buy white beans, and its price has subsequently moved up from N450 to N700.” 

She said, “I have been in business for over 25 years. I have never experienced this type of hardship. All we do is to leave home and feed our children and family. There is no profit anymore. We eat up all the gains. 

“I have three graduates and two undergraduates and I sent them to school from this business, but I am finding it difficult to pay for the undergraduates. Those who are through are not employed. I don’t know what is happening in this country.” 

A yam seller known as Iya Bororo said that business has not been as usual, especially during the Ramadan season. She said people are not buying yams because it has become too expensive. She said five tubers of yams now cost between N3000 and N4,500, depending on the size. 

“I used to go to the North once in two weeks but I have not travelled in the last one month. The yams are expensive and we cannot eat them ourselves.”

Mrs. Stella Omogbehin, a tomato seller, said that a basket of tomatoes that was sold for N8,000 in March, now sells between N15,000 and N22,000, depending on the basket size. 

Alhaja Mariam Toromade said the price of millet, sorghum and maize ranges from N500 and N700 per measure while the price of sugar, a commodity in high demand during the fasting period, has increased from N800 to N1,000 per measure as against N600.

 A fruit dealer, Mallam Ibrahim Bako, said that the price of a bag of oranges had gone up from N8,000 to N12,000. 

He said that the same applied to the other fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, water melon, banana, cucumber, carrot and apple. 

“The prices of fruits such as oranges, banana and water melon have greatly appreciated. We sell one orange between N20 and N30 as against the former price of N10 to N15, while a bunch of banana sells for between N700 and N1,000, depending on the type and size,” he said. 

Madam Alimot Mustapha, a government school teacher, lamented over the prices of foodstuffs and fruit . She noted that prices of grains and other foodstuffs like yam, garri, plantain, beans and others had increased by almost 70 per cent. 

She noted that a ball of water melon that she used to buy for N400 had increased to N800, adding that she could no longer buy a full one, but those in slices. 

She expressed her worries over the hike in the prices of these food items, noting that things are becoming difficult for common man everyday and wondered the reason for the price increase while the salary is not increased She lamented that the state government had been paying half salary for over three months and expressed her displeasure over the increase which fails to match her salary. 

She however said if the government fails to check the trend, more people would suffer untold hardship while there is tendency for crime to increase in the society, saying a hungry man is an angry man. 

Another fruit seller at Adegbola market attributed the high cost of fruits to the ongoing Ramadan fast, saying the experience is expected during the period as demand for fruits is characteristically high and supply low. 

Oyo State is not left out in inflation 

For buyers and sellers across popular markets in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, it was the same tales of rising prices and inflation. At Molete and Challenge markets, several sellers lamented high prices of foodstuffs and low patronage from customers. They revealed that prices of foodstuffs have skyrocketed in the face of the ongoing fast season, security challenges and rising unemployment while customers often beg to be given foodstuffs on credit. 

A trader at Molete market, Ayo Olopade, expressed: “It is true that Ramadan brings a slight increase in prices of commodities but this time things are different. It is the case of Ramadan fast meeting hunger. We traders have resorted to loans to augment our business. But we cannot take it when customers beg us for credit. We decline but we can only do so much because all of us are facing hardship in the country.” 

A trader in foodstuffs and provisions at the Apata market, who wished to be identified as Grace, lamented the hike in prices of foodstuffs and low sale. 

“One does not know where things are going in this country. A bag of short grain rice is now 26,000 naira, while long grain is 28,000 naira. A congo of beans is 1000 naira, while a congo of garri is 600 naira. A bag of garri from Kila market is 8,000 naira. People have not been buying the way they should because coming to the market to meet all these foodstuffs at exorbitant prices drives them away. They either tell you they will come back or turn back without haggling the price,” Grace said. 

Mrs Akinola, a Muslim who is currently observing the ongoing fast, disclosed that this year’s Ramadan is a little bit tense, considering the realities that surrounds living in Nigeria in a time like this. 

“It has not been easy buying foodstuffs during this period, especially for Muslims that are fasting. The things that are meant to be cheap are now expensive. Fruits which Muslims use to break their fast are now very expensive. 

“We can no longer afford the luxury of food items that we desire to eat as one has to make do with what one’s resources can afford,” she added. 

Another foodstuffs trader at Apata market, Oluyemisi Odebode, couldn’t hide her anger with the situation. 

She criticised the government for the current situation of Nigeria. She said “2020 was the year of COVID-19; we don’t know what to tag 2021 yet, as everything is looking bleak. To breathe in Nigeria is expensive as you have to pay high prices to purchase what you need for your daily survival. I sell rice, beans, palm oil, vegetable oil but inflation is biting through everything. 

“This time last year, palm oil was being sold at 8,000 naira per keg, but presently it is 14,000 naira. A bag of rice is now 28,000 naira for long grain, while short grain is 26,000 naira. A bucket of tomato is 2,000, tatashe is 1,500 naira. 

“Garri which has been the saving grace for most people is now 600 naira per congo, a bag at Kila market price is now 8,000 naira, beans per congo is now 1,000 naira. How then are we to survive in a country like this? People are not even buying the way they should. They’d rather go for the little they can afford,” she added. 

A shopper at Eleyele market, Damilare Alaka, also complained about the high cost of foodstuffs, saying that it has become a herculean task for him to provide for his family. 

“How much am I earning? By the time I deduct monthly transport fare, monthly foodstuffs allowance, I realise that nothing is left on ground. Truth be told, things are hard. The commodities we purchase at relatively cheap prices are now very costly. The government should do something in earnest.” Busola Adeyemo, a fruit trader, lamented that even fruits are not spared during this difficult times, the price of fruits has doubled, and in a way people can no longer buy the way they use to buy in previous years. 

“Last year a basket of Mango cost 1,500 naira, but this year we are buying it for 4,000 naira. A basket of cucumber last year was sold at 3,000naira, while a basket this year cost 8,000naira. People have not been buying like before especially during this Ramadan period, as most people prefer to break their fast with fruits. Fruits are generally expensive alongside foodstuffs,” she stated.

– Media Features

Nigerians are currently facing more hardship as prices of foodstuffs rise astronomically.

Reports from several states including Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Ondo and Rivers revealed that the cost of staple foods that Nigerians consume on a regular basis has skyrocketed, with buyers and sellers blaming insecurity for the high cost of things and low sale. 

This is just as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that inflation rate in the country for the month of March was 18.17 per cent, the highest in recent times. 

Traders disclosed that although the ongoing Ramadan season which is being observed by Muslims worldwide is often attended by slight rise in prices of commodities, the current inflation is unprecedented. 

With inflation joining the mix of challenges that currently plague the country, experts have warned that the current hardship being faced by Nigerians may still be compounded in the coming months. In a report by Reuters on Friday, the World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that food prices in West Africa have jumped more than 30% since last year to their highest levels in nearly a decade due to coronavirus lockdowns and a decline in cereal production. 

According to the UN organisation, more than 31 million people are expected to become food insecure between June and August, raising the risk of a health emergency as the region contends with conflicts and COVID-19. 

“Soaring prices are pushing a basic meal beyond the reach of millions of poor families who were already struggling to get by,” said Chris Nikoi, WFP’s Regional Director for West Africa. Across the region, prices of local staples such as rice are nearly 40% higher than five-year averages and in some countries staples cost more than double their average price, WFP said. 

About 800,000 of the nearly 2.7 million people WFP has identified as being at risk of famine are in Nigeria’s arid North-Eastern states, where millions have been displaced by the long-running Boko Haram insurgency. 

The current high prices of foodstuffs in the ancient city of Kano have been attributed to the Ramadan period being observed across the world. 

This was just as some traders said the high cost of rice can best be linked to the frequent raid being carried out by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, which forced many traders to hoard their goods to avert confiscation during market raids. 

However, many traders also attributed the current inflation to insecurity as many farmers have abandoned their farms for the fear of being kidnapped or worse.

At major markets in Kano, the prices of rice, beans, yam flour, and garri have gone up. 

As a result, many Nigerians are grappling with the difficulty in providing for their families owing to the constant drop in their purchasing power. 

At the Yankurwa and Tarrsuni markets, it was discovered that the price of a foreign bag of rice now goes for between N26,000 and N28,000, depending on the quality of the product. 

According to a rice trader at Singer market, Kano, Malam Ibrahim Buba, it is common for many traders to hoard their products to create artificial scarcity during Ramadan, thereby forcing the price to increase. 

However, Hajiya Aminat Kolo who sells grains at the Abubakar Rimi market said that the high price of foodstuffs can be attributed to the fear of traders who are afraid to travel long distance because of growing spate of kidnapping. 

She then added that a recent raid of the market by men of the Customs Service has worsened the situation as seizure of goods has made scarcity inevitable. 

It was discovered that a bag of rice which was recently sold at Singer market for N23,000 – N24,000 now goes for N28,000. Further investigations revealed that a bag of garri which was N20,000 now sells at N25,000, depending on the quality of the products. Aside that, the price of pepper has also gone up. 

According to Alhaji Gwarzo Yahya at Tarauni market, a bag of pepper which was N10,500 now sells at N18,000, while the price of tomatoes has also jumped to about N20,500 as against N17,500. 

Prices of foodstuffs in Ondo 

A survey across markets in Ondo State indicated a 25 to 35 per cent increase in the prices of foodstuffs while many the foodstuff sellers attributed the increase to the ongoing Ramadan fast. 

At the Akure central market, Oja Oba, a trader, Madam Esther, said the prices of palm oil and vegetables oil have increased, adding that “We used to buy 30 litres of palm oil at N10,000 but now we buy at N14,000. So, we sell a keg of five litres for N2,400 which used to go for N1,900/N2,000. 

“A 30-litre keg of vegetable oil is now N23,000 against N18,500 and we sell for N750 instead of the previous price of N600.” A rice trader at the market, Mrs. Florence Adaku, said the prices of a bag of imported rice has gone up to between N24,000 and N29,000 as against the former prices of between N16,000 and N18,000 before Ramadan. She said a bowl of imported rice is now N1,000 while the local rice is sold at 800. She said brown beans has also moved up from N14,500 a bag to N27,000 while a bowl is now sold at N900. She however said the white beans is the hot cake in the market now, saying, “Many people now prefer to buy white beans, and its price has subsequently moved up from N450 to N700.” 

She said, “I have been in business for over 25 years. I have never experienced this type of hardship. All we do is to leave home and feed our children and family. There is no profit anymore. We eat up all the gains. 

“I have three graduates and two undergraduates and I sent them to school from this business, but I am finding it difficult to pay for the undergraduates. Those who are through are not employed. I don’t know what is happening in this country.” 

A yam seller known as Iya Bororo said that business has not been as usual, especially during the Ramadan season. She said people are not buying yams because it has become too expensive. She said five tubers of yams now cost between N3000 and N4,500, depending on the size. 

“I used to go to the North once in two weeks but I have not travelled in the last one month. The yams are expensive and we cannot eat them ourselves.”

Mrs. Stella Omogbehin, a tomato seller, said that a basket of tomatoes that was sold for N8,000 in March, now sells between N15,000 and N22,000, depending on the basket size. 

Alhaja Mariam Toromade said the price of millet, sorghum and maize ranges from N500 and N700 per measure while the price of sugar, a commodity in high demand during the fasting period, has increased from N800 to N1,000 per measure as against N600.

 A fruit dealer, Mallam Ibrahim Bako, said that the price of a bag of oranges had gone up from N8,000 to N12,000. 

He said that the same applied to the other fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, water melon, banana, cucumber, carrot and apple. 

“The prices of fruits such as oranges, banana and water melon have greatly appreciated. We sell one orange between N20 and N30 as against the former price of N10 to N15, while a bunch of banana sells for between N700 and N1,000, depending on the type and size,” he said. 

Madam Alimot Mustapha, a government school teacher, lamented over the prices of foodstuffs and fruit . She noted that prices of grains and other foodstuffs like yam, garri, plantain, beans and others had increased by almost 70 per cent. 

She noted that a ball of water melon that she used to buy for N400 had increased to N800, adding that she could no longer buy a full one, but those in slices. 

She expressed her worries over the hike in the prices of these food items, noting that things are becoming difficult for common man everyday and wondered the reason for the price increase while the salary is not increased She lamented that the state government had been paying half salary for over three months and expressed her displeasure over the increase which fails to match her salary. 

She however said if the government fails to check the trend, more people would suffer untold hardship while there is tendency for crime to increase in the society, saying a hungry man is an angry man. 

Another fruit seller at Adegbola market attributed the high cost of fruits to the ongoing Ramadan fast, saying the experience is expected during the period as demand for fruits is characteristically high and supply low. 

Oyo State is not left out in inflation 

For buyers and sellers across popular markets in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, it was the same tales of rising prices and inflation. At Molete and Challenge markets, several sellers lamented high prices of foodstuffs and low patronage from customers. They revealed that prices of foodstuffs have skyrocketed in the face of the ongoing fast season, security challenges and rising unemployment while customers often beg to be given foodstuffs on credit. 

A trader at Molete market, Ayo Olopade, expressed: “It is true that Ramadan brings a slight increase in prices of commodities but this time things are different. It is the case of Ramadan fast meeting hunger. We traders have resorted to loans to augment our business. But we cannot take it when customers beg us for credit. We decline but we can only do so much because all of us are facing hardship in the country.” 

A trader in foodstuffs and provisions at the Apata market, who wished to be identified as Grace, lamented the hike in prices of foodstuffs and low sale. 

“One does not know where things are going in this country. A bag of short grain rice is now 26,000 naira, while long grain is 28,000 naira. A congo of beans is 1000 naira, while a congo of garri is 600 naira. A bag of garri from Kila market is 8,000 naira. People have not been buying the way they should because coming to the market to meet all these foodstuffs at exorbitant prices drives them away. They either tell you they will come back or turn back without haggling the price,” Grace said. 

Mrs Akinola, a Muslim who is currently observing the ongoing fast, disclosed that this year’s Ramadan is a little bit tense, considering the realities that surrounds living in Nigeria in a time like this. 

“It has not been easy buying foodstuffs during this period, especially for Muslims that are fasting. The things that are meant to be cheap are now expensive. Fruits which Muslims use to break their fast are now very expensive. 

“We can no longer afford the luxury of food items that we desire to eat as one has to make do with what one’s resources can afford,” she added. 

Another foodstuffs trader at Apata market, Oluyemisi Odebode, couldn’t hide her anger with the situation. 

She criticised the government for the current situation of Nigeria. She said “2020 was the year of COVID-19; we don’t know what to tag 2021 yet, as everything is looking bleak. To breathe in Nigeria is expensive as you have to pay high prices to purchase what you need for your daily survival. I sell rice, beans, palm oil, vegetable oil but inflation is biting through everything. 

“This time last year, palm oil was being sold at 8,000 naira per keg, but presently it is 14,000 naira. A bag of rice is now 28,000 naira for long grain, while short grain is 26,000 naira. A bucket of tomato is 2,000, tatashe is 1,500 naira. 

“Garri which has been the saving grace for most people is now 600 naira per congo, a bag at Kila market price is now 8,000 naira, beans per congo is now 1,000 naira. How then are we to survive in a country like this? People are not even buying the way they should. They’d rather go for the little they can afford,” she added. 

A shopper at Eleyele market, Damilare Alaka, also complained about the high cost of foodstuffs, saying that it has become a herculean task for him to provide for his family. 

“How much am I earning? By the time I deduct monthly transport fare, monthly foodstuffs allowance, I realise that nothing is left on ground. Truth be told, things are hard. The commodities we purchase at relatively cheap prices are now very costly. The government should do something in earnest.” Busola Adeyemo, a fruit trader, lamented that even fruits are not spared during this difficult times, the price of fruits has doubled, and in a way people can no longer buy the way they use to buy in previous years. 

“Last year a basket of Mango cost 1,500 naira, but this year we are buying it for 4,000 naira. A basket of cucumber last year was sold at 3,000naira, while a basket this year cost 8,000naira. People have not been buying like before especially during this Ramadan period, as most people prefer to break their fast with fruits. Fruits are generally expensive alongside foodstuffs,” she stated.

– Media Features

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