“Nigeria’s Food Prices Fall — But Can The Relief Last?”

By FIDELUS ZWANSON

ACROSS markets in Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, the story of food prices in Nigeria has become a mix of relief, skepticism and caution. While staples like rice, beans, yam and vegetables have recorded noticeable price drops, many buyers and vendors remain divided on whether the trend is sustainable — or simply a seasonal illusion driven by harvest gluts.

Harvest Season or Policy Impact? Citizens Don’t Agree

For months, Nigerians have watched food prices fluctuate sharply. The latest survey shows a significant decline in the cost of rice — arguably the country’s most consumed staple — along with a moderate drop in beans, yams, and select vegetables.

But the optimism is measured. Some attribute the decline to government policies and inflation-control efforts, while many others insist the price crash aligns with the annual harvest season and may reverse as soon as the dry season sets in.

In Edo, several traders echoed this concern. “It’s too early to say if this is government policy,” one vendor said. “We need to see what happens after the harvest season before we can be sure.”

Edo: Relief at the Market, But Quality Issues Loom

In Benin markets, onions, peppers, yams and potatoes are cheaper than they’ve been in months. For instance:

• 15–20 onions now sell for ₦500.

• A bag of pepper, which previously cost ₦50,000–₦60,000, now goes for ₦7,000–₦10,000.

• Sweet potatoes dropped to ₦1,500 from ₦3,000.

• Rice prices have plunged from as high as ₦120,000 per bag in 2024 to ₦45,000–₦70,000.

Yet beneath the relief is a concern about produce quality. Yam seller Kabiru Musa warns that many yams look perfect on the outside but are compromised inside — an effect he blames on poor fertiliser practices.

Protein-rich foods, however, tell a different story. Beef, fish, and eggs remain stubbornly expensive, stretching household budgets and deepening nutritional insecurity.

Delta: Rice Cheaper, Tomatoes Costlier

The mood in Delta’s Ogbe-Ogonogo Market is mixed. On the bright side:

• A 50kg bag of popular rice brands dropped from ₦85,000 to ₦65,000.

• A bag of beans now sells for ₦110,000, down from ₦200,000–₦220,000.

• Onion prices have halved.

But tomatoes and peppers — key ingredients in Nigerian cooking — have become pricier. A big basket now costs ₦35,000, more than double last year’s price. Vendors attribute this to Nigeria’s chronic irrigation challenges, which limit dry-season production.

Still, some Delta residents say the drop in staples is easing pressures on family budgets. “We are happy,” one buyer said. “We just want the prices to go even lower.”

Bayelsa: Prices Drop, But Experts Call for Structural Action

In Yenagoa and surrounding towns, prices of garri, rice, beans and fresh tomatoes have sharply dropped. A bag of garri now goes for ₦40,000–₦45,000, down from ₦70,000, while a basket of tomatoes fell from ₦90,000 to ₦35,000–₦40,000.

Economist Dr. Michael Jackson of the Niger Delta University believes this relief can only last if Nigeria tackles its deeper agricultural and supply chain challenges. He highlights several long-term strategies:

• Better rural roads and storage facilities

• Affordable fertilisers and seeds

• Price monitoring to prevent hoarding

• Adoption of climate-smart farming

• Technology-driven supply chains

• Farm input subsidies

• Stronger food assistance programmes

He argues that both government and households must play a role — from reducing food waste to supporting local producers.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Beke Sese, says the state is already investing in mechanised farming and strengthening partnerships to boost production. He insists that with improved technology and expanded rice farming, “enhanced supply will keep prices low.”

The Big Question: Will Lower Prices Last?

Most traders across the three states point to a single reason for the current price relief: the harvest season. Once it ends, many fear scarcity, rising demand, and persistent insecurity could push prices back up.

Government officials, on the other hand, maintain that recent drops reflect progress from policy interventions meant to tame inflation.

For now, Nigerians are enjoying the rare moment of affordability — but with one eye watching the future, hoping that this relief becomes more than a seasonal stroke of luck.