The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has predicted a sharp rise in onion prices this Christmas season, driven by strong demand and delayed harvests in several states.
In a Sunday interview with journalists in Lagos, the NOPPMAN secretary, Amir Adamu, explained that onion prices are climbing because of rising demand and the fact that several farms have not yet harvested their crops ahead of the holiday season.
Adamu added that prices could keep climbing until January, when Kebbi State’s harvest enters the market, though any drop in cost is expected to be modest.
His words: “The price of onions varies from state to state; here in Kaduna, the old onion that was produced and harvested around July and August this year sells for about N50,000 to N60,000 per bag.
“However, the fresh onions being harvested and produced from Sokoto sell for about N80,000 to N100,000 per bag.
“This is because of the high demand for the Sokoto species of the onion and its current availability.”
He, however, said there was a possibility of an increase in the price of the produce because border states were yet to harvest onions on their farms.
“It is expensive up north because it is currently in high demand. The price of onions is expected to gradually drop from January next year, when onions from Kebbi State are ready for harvest. The possibility of the cost of onions dropping is negligible.
“Before now, an old bag of onions sold between N30,000 and N40,000 up north, but it is quite expensive this year due to the demand rate.
“As the Christmas celebration approaches, the price may further increase due to the demand for the produce. We can only expect a respite in the price of onions in early January to March 2026,” he said.
A bag of onions is currently sold between ₦100,000 and ₦130,000 per bag, as opposed to ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 sold a few months back.
