Why Food Prices Will Skyrocket in December – Foodstuff Transporters

Nigerians may face escalating food prices this December as transporters under the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) raise alarms over worsening challenges in the sector. The union’s National President, Mohammed Tahir, has attributed the looming crisis to surging costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, compounded by daily extortion and double taxation on federal highways.

Tahir disclosed that transporting a trailer-load of staples like rice, beans, and corn from Sokoto to Port Harcourt now costs around N2.25 million. Similar expenses are incurred for goods bound for other southern regions, and these mounting costs are expected to push food prices even higher during the Christmas season, with the trend likely continuing into the New Year.

Transporters are also grappling with multiple layers of levies. Local and state government revenue collectors, alongside security agencies and street extortionists (locally known as “agberos”), impose additional fees at roadblocks and markets. These challenges are particularly pronounced in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West, where drivers and their assistants often face harassment and physical violence.

Despite their crucial role in the country’s food supply chain, Tahir expressed disappointment over the lack of engagement from the government to address these pressing issues. “We have not received any invitation to discuss our challenges as major stakeholders in the food system,” he said. Many transporters have abandoned the business altogether due to unsustainable costs, leaving them struggling to survive.

Although the union has refrained from going on strike, recognizing the devastating impact it could have on Nigerians, Tahir warned of the dire consequences if transport operations cease. He called on the government to urgently intervene to reduce their burdens and ensure the continuous flow of food supplies to avert further hardship for citizens.