Business
Food Prices Drop In Many States
By Benjamin Abioye
Food prices have started falling in many parts of Nigeria’s North-East, marking the first drop since fuel subsidy removal in 2023. A recent market survey showed that prices of basic foods like maize, rice, beans, and guinea corn have dropped in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states — areas known for having high food costs.
In Adamawa’s Jimeta Market, the price of a 100kg bag of maize, which was between ₦60,000 and ₦65,000 in late 2024, has gone down to between ₦40,000 and ₦45,000. Local rice has also dropped to ₦45,000 per 100kg bag, from its previous price of about ₦65,000. Beans saw the biggest fall — from ₦190,000 to ₦95,000 per bag.
However, while many food items are cheaper, some have become more expensive. In Ganye Yam Market, the price for 100 yams has jumped from ₦70,000–₦80,000 to around ₦200,000. Single yam tubers now cost between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500, depending on size.
Livestock prices have also risen. In places like Ngurore and Mubi, cows that used to sell for ₦200,000 to ₦300,000 now go for between ₦400,000 and ₦700,000. Some even cost as much as ₦1 million.
In Yobe State, prices have dropped too. A bag of local rice now sells for ₦40,000 to ₦43,000, down from ₦60,000. Beans have gone from ₦105,000 to ₦85,000, and millet has reduced from ₦60,000 to ₦46,000. Groundnuts and pepper have also become cheaper.
In Borno, the price of local rice has decreased from ₦80,000 to around ₦64,000–₦65,000, and imported rice dropped from ₦97,000 to ₦70,000. Maize now costs ₦38,000, down from ₦55,000. But beans and yams remain costly. A 100kg bag of beans sells for ₦100,000, and one yam can cost up to ₦3,000.
The fall in prices is partly due to less buying by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), especially after USAID stopped its aid. “NGOs used to buy food in large quantities for insurgency-affected areas, driving up demand. Now, with reduced purchases, prices have adjusted,” explained Lawan Mala, a public affairs analyst.
Another reason is that more families are now farming for their own use and selling any extra. This local production has helped lower prices.
Prof. David Jatau, Adamawa’s Agriculture Commissioner, credited the price drop to state government efforts to improve farming. He said, under Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, they started projects like the Agricultural Programme for Poverty Alleviation and Climate Change Adaptation (APPACCA) to increase food supply.
However, farmers are worried about the future. Fertilizer is now selling for ₦50,000 per bag, and falling food prices mean less profit. “If this continues, many may stop farming,” warned beans farmer Sadiq Abubakar.
Muhammad Maitela, another farmer, said people are buying food in bulk and storing it, and many are now farming small plots to support themselves.
Prof. Ahmad Bawa, an expert in economic development, praised the government’s food import policies, especially for rice and maize. He said these efforts have helped food security but warned that without proper action, prices could rise again.
“Prices may rise again if the appropriate authorities do not intervene. The establishment of direct farmer-to-consumer markets could help stabilize prices and reduce the role of middlemen,” he suggested.
Source: NAN
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