As Muslims across Nigeria prepare to begin the holy month of Ramadan, market surveys indicate increase in prices of food commodities like local rice, maize and beans in Abuja, Taraba and Kaduna states while prices remain stable in Lagos and Kano,
Checks by our correspondents across major markets show that unlike previous years when traders often adjusted prices upward ahead of the fasting season, this year’s Ramadan market has recorded a mixed but relatively calm outlook.
Abuja
In the Federal Capital Territory, some staples have recorded modest increases.
In Abuja, provision sellers reported that local rice, beans, maize and guinea corn have risen in price over the past few weeks.
A bag of beans that was N50,000 has gone up to N90,000. Maize that sold between N25,000 and N27,000 is now significantly higher,” said Salisu Muhammad, a trader in one of the city’s markets.
Local rice jumbo packs approaching 100kg are now selling close to N100,000, reflecting heightened demand ahead of Ramadan.
Traders attribute the increases primarily to seasonal buying pressure as households, philanthropists and religious organisations stock up for daily consumption and charity distributions.
Kaduna residents express concern
In Kaduna, residents also report slight increases, particularly in beans and maize.
Khadija Ahmed, a resident, said a local measure of beans that previously sold for N700 now costs N1,400.
“This period should have been a time for price relief, but instead some traders have increased prices,” she lamented.
However, not all commodities have recorded increases. Some traders note that prices had dropped slightly in the past month before experiencing minor upward adjustments tied to Ramadan demand.
…Price of paddy rice, beans, groundnut and maize up in Taraba
In another development, prices of Foodstuffs have gone up in Taraba state, a development that excites farmers.
Findings revealed that 100 kg bag of White Beans sold few days ago at N65,000 has gone up to N110,000 while 100 kg of Paddy Rice sold at the rate of N18,000 has gone up to N28,000 to N30,000
Similarly 100 kg bag of Maize sold at the rate N15,000 to N18,000 is now sold at the rate of N23,000 to N24,000
Daily Trust findings revealed that 100 kg bag of dried Cassava sold at the rate of N3500 few days ago has gone up to N7000 while 100 kg bag of groundnut sold at the rate of N30,000 few days ago is now sold at the rate of N45,000.
It was also found that a big measure of locally processed rice sold at the rate N1400 has gone up N1800 while a measure of white Beans sold at the rate of N 900 is now sold at the rate of N1800 to N2000.
However price of palm oil and vegetables has slightly dropped with a price of 25 litre Jerry can of palm oil sold at the rate N53,000 as against N70,000 sold a few days ago.
Farmers interviewed on the increase of price of farm produce and Foodstuffs said they are delighted with the development.
Bello Adamu told Daily Trust that this is the worst year for farmers because of the poor price of farm produce.
He said farmers who invested their capital during the wet season farming have lost their capital as a result of the poor price which was experienced soon after harvest.
Adamu explained that many farmers could not embark on dry season farming this year because of lack of capital and of fear of similar experience which they faced during the wet season farming.
He said however, it is a good development that Price of farm produce has started going up and if the price continues to go up farmers would get more money to embark on wet season farming this year.
Stable outlook in Lagos
However, findings showed that the cost of food commodities maintained stability since the drop after the end of the Yuletide and New Year season.
Market survey of food items showed that a bag of pepper is still N46,000 while half a bag remains N20,000. Also, a bag of tomatoes is still sold at N36,000.
Further findings showed that a bag of beans remains N60,000 while long grain rice is sold for N75,000 and N55,000 for short grain.
Daily Trust learnt that a kilo of frozen Chicken is still N4800. However, there has been a sharp increase in the price of a bag of onions which has surged to N90,000 from N70,000.
In an interview with one of our correspondents, the Secretary General, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Femi Oke attributed the stability in the price of food commodities despite the approach of Ramadan to the government interventions.
“We don’t even think there should be an increase in price because of the festive season because the government is taking the bull by the horn by assisting farmers in the areas of inputs.
“During the dry season, we received a lot of empowerment from the government and that has shown that it will give us an increase in our output,” he said.
He added that the reduction in the cost of transportation has contributed to the stability in the prices of food commodities.
The price of transportation gradually reduced, which eased the price and there would definitely be a reduction and we are not hoping that because of the festive season, there will not be any increase,” he said.
Joe Koruwa, a farmer, said the stability of price depends on the surge in demand for food commodities.
“There has been a reduction in the prices of feed. A feed of N18,000 per bag has been reduced to N17,200. It depends on the surge of demand,” he said.
Kano markets resist seasonal surge
Similarly, markets in Kano have largely resisted the typical Ramadan price spike.
At Singer and Sabon Gari markets, a 50kg bag of Gerewa rice sells for N52,000, while BUA rice goes for N52,500. AA Rano rice sells at N51,500 for 50kg, and N27,000 for 25kg bags.
A bag of sugar remains around N70,000, with mudu (local measure) dropping slightly from N5,000 last year to about N4,500 in some markets. Flour prices have remained steady at about N60,000 per bag.
Fresh produce has shown slight adjustments. A bowl of tomatoes has dropped to N800, tatashe sells for N1,500, while onions remain relatively high at N2,000 per bowl. A basket of Irish potatoes sells for N7,500, and medium-sized tubers of yam start from N5,000.
It was gathered that despite recent fire incidents at Singer Market that destroyed goods worth billions of naira, the anticipated scarcity has not materialised. Many residents say the stability has helped families plan better for the 30-day fasting period, particularly those who purchase food items in bulk for charity.
DAILY TRUST.
