Maiduguri: Prices of foodstuffs have significantly dropped in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a survey conducted in major markets in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Yola-North, and Numan indicates a steady decline in the prices of rice, maize, beans, pepper, millet, spaghetti, and cooking oils compared to earlier in the year. At Monday Market in Maiduguri, a 50kg bag of rice, which sold between N78,000 and N82,000 in August and September, now sells for between N64,000 to N65,000. A 100kg bag of maize that previously traded from N60,000 to N65,000 now sells for N40,000 to N45,000. The price of white beans has also dropped from an average N105,000 per 100kg bag to N85,000, while a basket of fresh pepper, which traded as high as N70,000 to N85,000 earlier in the year, now sells for between N6,500 and N8,500.
NAN reports that a 100kg bag of millet now sells for around N46,000, down from N65,000 three months ago. Sorghum prices have also decreased to about N38,000 from N50,000 to N55,000 within the same period. Malam Haruna Bukar, a grains dealer at the market, attributed the decline to increased supply from local farmers and enhanced access to farms following recent security improvements in parts of Jere, Konduga, and Mafa Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Hajiya Amina Umar, a beans and garri retailer in the Baga Road’s Market, expressed that while the price drop is welcomed, it might be temporary. She emphasized the need for government-provided storage centers to help stabilize prices throughout the year. Fatima Mohammed, a pepper seller, noted the drastic fall in pepper prices due to the influx of new harvests from farms in Biu, Shani, and Damboa areas. She called on the state government to support farmers in transporting their produce to the market.
Malam Babagana Lawan, a retailer of sorghum and millet at Tashan Bama’s Market in Maiduguri, stated that insecurity and lack of affordable transportation remain significant threats to price stability. He urged for new counter-insurgency strategies and road repairs to maintain low prices. Halima Musa, a customer, appealed to the government to sustain the drop in prices for the benefit of all.
At Bayan Tasha Market in Damaturu, the price of white beans has decreased significantly. A big measure now costs N3,000 compared to N6,000 in February, while the price of red beans has reduced from N4,800 to N2,400. Similarly, rice now costs N2,500 per big measure, down from N5,000 in February. The prices of maize and millet have also decreased to N1,000 and N800, respectively.
Anwar Babagana, a trader, called on the Federal Government to continue its policy shift towards importation to ensure affordable food prices. Gloria Thomas, a customer, urged for the sustainability of grain imports while advocating for government support for farmers with farm inputs.
Dr. Binta Yahaya, an economist at Yobe State University, attributed the price drop to massive grain importation by the current administration. She explained that the sharp decline in prices is due to policy changes regarding foodstuff importation, which has flooded markets with grains nationwide. Dr. Yahaya suggested a balanced approach to ensure both customers and farmers are not negatively affected.
In Yola Central Market, a 50kg bag of local rice now sells between N32,000 and N36,000, down from N48,000 to N55,000 three months ago. Malam Musa Mohammed, a trader in Numan Market, emphasized the need for balanced import policies and support for local farmers to avoid long-term food production challenges.
Mrs. Zulayya Suleiman, a customer at Jimeta Market, suggested the introduction of policies to buy produce from farmers, input subsidy, and establishment of more grain reserves to stabilize prices. Dr. Obadiah Noah, an agriculturist and retired Director with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, advised that the current trend can be sustained with government investment in local production, improved irrigation systems, and addressing farmland insecurity.