New yam brings relief as food prices drop in Abia, Imo
The harvest season has brought some much-needed relief to consumers in Abia and Imo states, as the prices of certain staple foods have seen significant reductions. A recent survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in key markets across Owerri, Umuahia, and Aba has revealed that the cost of items such as beans, tomatoes, onions, and new yams has dropped considerably. Despite these decreases, the rising cost of transportation continues to impact the prices of other essential goods, leaving many residents still feeling the pinch.
In Owerri, the capital of Imo State, the price of beans—a staple in Nigerian households—has seen a notable decline. A paint bucket of beans, which previously cost ₦10,000, now sells for between ₦7,500 and ₦8,000, depending on the type. This price drop is attributed to the current harvest season, which has increased the supply of beans in the market.
Similarly, the price of new yams has also fallen dramatically. Last month, a large tuber of yam was sold for ₦7,000, but it now goes for ₦4,000. Medium-sized yams, which were priced at ₦5,000, are now available for between ₦2,500 and ₦3,000. The influx of newly harvested yams has flooded the markets, driving down prices as competition among sellers intensifies.
Tomatoes, another essential food item, have also seen a significant price reduction. A bucket of tomatoes that previously sold for ₦15,000 is now priced at ₦8,000. The arrival of new tomatoes from Gboko in Benue State has contributed to this decrease, making tomatoes more affordable for consumers.
Despite the reductions in the prices of beans, yams, and tomatoes, other staple foods have not experienced the same relief. The price of garri, a popular Nigerian staple made from cassava, has continued to rise. A bag of garri that sold for ₦40,000 last year is now priced at ₦68,000. The price of a small bucket of garri has also increased, from ₦2,500 to ₦3,500.
Garri sellers have attributed this price hike to the high cost of transportation. The increased fuel prices and ongoing challenges with transportation infrastructure have made it more expensive to move goods from farms to markets. This has resulted in higher prices for consumers, even as the harvest season brings an abundance of goods.
Rice, another staple, has also remained expensive. A 50-kg bag of foreign rice is currently selling for ₦90,000, while the same quantity of local rice, often referred to as “local foreign,” is priced between ₦70,000 and ₦75,000. The cost of rice has been slow to decrease, despite the availability of new harvests, largely due to the persistent transportation costs and other logistical challenges.
In Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, the price of red pepper has seen a slight reduction. A basket of red pepper, which was sold for between ₦95,000 and ₦100,000 a few months ago, now costs between ₦65,000 and ₦70,000. This price drop is due to the competition from new pepper varieties entering the market from regions like Ogoja and Ngwa. According to a dealer, Ezinne Okafor, the availability of these new varieties has forced prices down.
However, in the same market, the price of rice and other staples remains high. A 50-kg bag of rice continues to sell for between ₦80,000 and ₦85,000, a significant increase from the ₦65,000 to ₦70,000 range seen a few months ago. Beans prices have also climbed, with a 75-kg bag now costing between ₦180,000 and ₦210,000, compared to ₦120,000 and ₦140,000 earlier in the year.
The price of garri in Umuahia has followed a similar trend, with a 75-kg bag currently priced at between ₦88,000 and ₦90,000, up from ₦85,000 to ₦87,000 in March and April. Sweet potatoes have also seen a sharp increase, with a 75-kg bag now selling for ₦75,000, compared to ₦50,000 five months ago. The price of onions has also surged, with a bag now costing ₦120,000, up from ₦85,000 to ₦90,000 earlier this year.
Traders in the region have expressed concerns that the prices of certain food items may continue to rise, particularly onions. Musa Yinusa, a trader who sells potatoes and onions, predicted that the price of onions could reach ₦150,000 per bag by December if current trends continue. He attributed the rising prices to the high cost of transportation and the ongoing security challenges in the northern regions of Nigeria, where many of these commodities are grown.
Yinusa explained that farmers in the north are struggling to access their farms due to attacks by bandits and Boko Haram insurgents. This has led to reduced production and supply shortages, driving up prices in markets across the country.
In Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, foodstuff sellers at the New Market (Ahia Ohuru) have reported slight price drops for items like yam, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. However, these reductions have been offset by the high cost of transportation, which continues to affect the prices of foodstuffs.
Daniel Njoku, a yam seller in Aba, noted that the price of yam has decreased due to the influx of new yams from the north and other agrarian communities in the southeast. He expects the price of yam to continue to fall as the harvest season progresses. However, he also expressed concern that transportation costs could prevent consumers from fully benefiting from these price reductions.
Abbas Sani, another trader in Aba, reported that the prices of potatoes and onions have dropped slightly in recent weeks. A bag of potatoes that cost ₦75,000 last week is now selling for ₦60,000, while a basket of onions has decreased from ₦115,000 to ₦100,000. Despite these reductions, Sani warned that the price of old onions remains high, at ₦130,000 per basket.
One of the major factors contributing to the persistent high prices of certain food items is the rising cost of fuel. Transportation costs have soared in recent months, making it more expensive to move goods from rural farming areas to urban markets. This has had a ripple effect on food prices, particularly for items that are transported over long distances.
Ozioma Mbah, a tomato seller in Aba, highlighted the impact of transportation costs on the price of tomatoes. She explained that the cost of transporting tomatoes from the north to Aba has increased to ₦10,000 per basket, up from previous levels. This has limited the price reduction that could have been achieved with the new harvest of Gboko tomatoes, which are currently priced at ₦27,000 per basket.
Mbah expressed concern that transportation costs might continue to rise in the coming weeks, particularly if fuel prices increase further. This could negate the benefits of the harvest season and lead to higher prices for consumers.
As the harvest season progresses, consumers in Abia and Imo states are experiencing a mixed bag when it comes to food prices. While the prices of some staple items like beans, tomatoes, and yams have decreased, others like garri, rice, and onions remain stubbornly high. The high cost of transportation, driven by rising fuel prices and security challenges in the north, continues to be a significant factor in keeping food prices elevated.
For many residents, the slight relief in prices for some items is welcome, but the overall cost of living remains a concern. As the year progresses, it remains to be seen whether further decreases in food prices will materialize or if transportation costs will continue to drive up the cost of essential goods. In the meantime, consumers will have to navigate this complex landscape, balancing the benefits of the harvest season with the realities of a challenging economic environment.
