By Ify Mgbemena
Despite measures put into place to curb the escalation of food insecurity in the country, the incessant rise in cost of food persists following the fuel subsidy removal in 2023, however, Nigerians are currently experiencing an upsurge in food prices, where availability is not a problem, but affordability has been a major issue for many in all parts of the country.
Speaking with traders in Gwagwalada Market, Abuja, AgroNigeria on Tuesday conducted a market survey on the increase and changes in food prices.
Farmers who spoke in different interviews complained of the continuous rise in the cost of transportation which has directly affected the current price of food produce in the market.
Speaking with a poultry farmer that sells live chicken in the market (broilers) said things have really gone bad, that before the sudden increase in the price of feed that a chicken used to sell for N2,500-N4,000. But we sold our broilers between the range of N9,500-N13,000 during this Christmas period, though they were very big and well fed, he said.
Alhaji Musa a meat trader said a size-able cow is sold from N250,000 to N350,000 and above now, before now we usually sell a kilo for N1400, but now a kilo is sold for N3500.
The continuous rise in the cost of transportation has done us more harm than good, he lamented.
Speaking with Mrs Mohammed, a tomato trader and farmer, said currently, the cost of a basket (large rounded shaped basket) of fresh tomatoes ranges from ₦33,000 to ₦35,000, then those small custard buckets sell for N700.
An onion trader, Adamu said a bag of onion now sells for ₦32,000 to ₦35,000, there was a time we bought the same bag of onion for N8,000 in 2022 he said.
However a garri trader, Mrs Nkiru said a bag of garri that once cost between N20,000 – N25,000 now sells between N26,000 – N30,000, and a mudu of yellow garri now currently costs N600 from N300 in 2022 and the white one N500 from N250.