Investigation Reveals Why Food Prices Will Continue to Rise in Nigeria

The cost of food items across Nigeria is soaring, creating significant challenges for citizens as their purchasing power declines. This price surge has been attributed to a variety of factors including high transportation costs, insecurity preventing farmers from accessing their fields, climate change, multiple taxation, late budget allocations, and rising inflation.

Mrs. Hannatu Ajiji, an official at the Tomatoes/Pepper Market in Jos, Plateau State, noted the unpredictability of prices: “We don’t tell people about prices of tomatoes and pepper again because they may fluctuate at any time. Sometimes, we sell at a particular price in the morning and by noon or evening, the price changes.”

The NBS reports significant year-on-year increases in the prices of essential food items. For example, the average price of 1kg of local rice rose by 189.79% from N555.18 in May 2023 to N1,608.89 in May 2024. Other staples such as brown beans, tomatoes, and yam have seen similar increases, exacerbating the strain on consumers.

The rising price of fuel has tripled the transportation costs for moving produce from farms to markets. Dominic Osoh, Chairman of the National Association of Yam Farmers, highlighted that the high cost of herbicides, pesticides, and transportation has forced farmers to increase their prices.

Armed attacks on rural farmers by herdsmen and bandits have made farming dangerous, leading to reduced crop yields and higher market prices.

In Sokoto, a tuber of yam now costs N5,000, up from N1,300 earlier in the year. The price of dried pepper has surged from N25,000 to between N76,000 and N80,000.

Mrs. Modupe Ogundipe in Calabar reports that a basket of tomatoes now costs N150,000, up from N70,000. In Uyo, a 100kg bag of pepper sells for N200,000 to N250,000, a steep rise from previous prices.

At the Mile 12 market in Lagos, the price of tomatoes and peppers has more than tripled. A 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells for N100,000, up from N35,000, while a 50kg bag of Scotch Bonnet peppers has soared from N20,000 to N120,000.

Engr. Daniel Ijeh, CEO of EA Daniels Farm, suggests addressing insecurity, improving crop yields, and ensuring better access for farmers to markets. The provision of technology and mechanization support, such as affordable small tractors, could also help.

Fatima Gunmi, President of Smallholder Women Farmers Organizations in Nigeria, emphasizes the need for government interventions to support women farmers and boost food security.

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has called for the reduction of taxes and the expansion of the tax net to relieve pressure on citizens and prevent potential “hunger riots.”

Efforts to reach the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for comment were unsuccessful. However, an aide noted that food production is a concurrent responsibility shared between federal and state governments. Therefore, states must also play a proactive role in addressing food price inflation.