Food Prices Drop in Abia and Imo

The prices of food items have dropped in Abia and Imo, offering relief to residents. Find out which products are now more affordable.

Due to the ongoing harvest season, major markets in Abia and Imo have seen significant decreases in prices for certain staple foods including beans, tomatoes, onions and new yams.

According to a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri metropolis markets, the cost of a paint bucket filled with beans has dropped from N10,000 to either N8,000 or N7.500 based on its variety.

The price of yam has significantly dropped with the influx of new crops in the market. A large tuber, which was sold for N7,000 last month is now being priced at N4,000.

The medium-sized product that was previously priced at N5,000 is now available for between N3,000 and N2,500.

The price of a bucket of tomatoes initially at N15,000 was reduced to N8,000.

Despite the passing year, garri maintains a high price point with bags selling for as much as N68,000 compared to its previous sale of N40,000.

Additionally, the cost of a small bucket of the commodity has increased from N2,500 to N3,500.

The ongoing price increase of garri was attributed to the transportation expenses by sellers.

A 50-kg bag of foreign brand rice still commands a high price, with sales reaching N90,000.

The local brand, commonly known as “local foreign”, continues to be sold for N70,000-N75,000 per 50 kg.

In Umuahia, the capital of Abia state, there has been a slight decrease in the cost of red peppers.

Several months back, a basket of the commodity was sold for N95,000 to N100,000. However, at present the same quantity can be obtained between N65 000 and N70 000 instead.

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Mrs. Ezinne Okafor, the dealer, stated that the decrease in price was due to the recent harvest season.

The presence of Ogoja and Ngwa pepper in the market due to increased competition has caused a slight reduction in price. Just one month prior, Nsukka pepper was solely available at an exorbitant cost of N100,000 per basket.

Okafor stated that the market now has fresh tomatoes from Gboko in Benue which have played a role in lowering prices.

Despite the harvest season, there has not been a decrease in prices of other essential food products.

A recent poll conducted at Ubani Ultra Modern Market, situated near Umuahia, has revealed that 50-kg bags of rice (whether local or foreign) are currently selling for N80,000-N85,000 rather than the previous price range of N65,000-N70.00 only a few months ago.

Iron beans weighing 75 kg are now priced between N180,000 and N210,000 (depending on the type), marking an increase from their previous selling price of between N120,000 to N140,000 a few months ago.

Currently, the price range for a 75-kg bag of garri is N88,000 to N90,000 which is an increase from March and April when it was priced between N85,000 and N87,000.

About five months ago, a 75-kg sack of sweet potatoes was sold at N50,000 but currently costs N75,000.

In March, a bag of onions was sold for about N85,000 to N90,000. However, the current price has increased drastically and it now sells at N120,000 per bag.

According to the market trend, Mr. Musa Yinusa, a trader, foresees that onions will continue to rise in price and may reach N150,000 by December.

Yinusa, a seller of potatoes and onions, linked the increase in food prices to elevated transportation expenses and lack of security in the northern region where these goods are grown.

He states that farmers in the northern region are unable to cultivate due to bandit and Boko Haram incidents, resulting in scarcity of food.

Five months ago, a basket of round seed tomatoes sold for N100,000 and Gboko tomatoes cost N65,000. However, currently the former sells at N126,000 while the latter costs N70.000.

Nonetheless, the costs of additional items such as eggs, vegetable oil, seasoning cubes and tomato pastes have persisted in escalating.

Five months ago, the cost of a crate of eggs was between N3,9000 and N4,200. However, presently it costs between N4,800 and N5000.

The price of a 25-litre container of vegetable oil is N55,000. A smaller 5-liter bottle can be purchased for N11,000. Tomato paste can also be bought in cartons ranging from N7000 to N7,200.

The increased price of eggs was also attributed to the expensive nature of poultry feeds by Okafor.

In comparison to April, crayfish currently fetches a higher price of N180,000 – M200,000 instead of the previous range of N140,000 – N160,000.

Mrs Ugonne Chikamnayo, a seller of crayfish at Isi Gate Market in Umuahia, cited the elevated transportation expenses as the cause for the hike in prices.

In the beginning of last year, a bag of crayfish was sold for N60,000 to N70,000. However, by November and December it increased in price to between N80,000 and N90,000.

“The product originates from Oron in Akwa Ibom but due to additional expenses like payments for the frying process and other costs, its price gets inflated,” she explained.

In the commercial hub of Abia, specifically in Ahia Ohuru New Market, foodstuff vendors have reported a slight drop in prices for yam, potato, onions and tomatoes as a result of the ongoing harvest season.

NAN was informed by several traders that the surge in fuel costs and transportation expenses has hindered locals from experiencing the decrease in prices.

According to Mr. Daniel Njoku, a yam vendor, the cost of one tuber of yam has decreased from N4,000 two weeks ago to N3,500 presently.

The cause of the price decrease was credited by Njoku to the fresh yams sourced from northern regions and other agricultural communities in the South-East.

He anticipated that due to the harvest season, there would be a further decline in the price of yam.

Nevertheless, he noted that transportation costs remained steep and could potentially impact the cost of food products unfavorably.

Mr. Abbas Sani, a potato and onion vendor, told NAN that food prices in the north had significantly decreased compared to those in the east.

According to Sani, the price of a bag of potatoes has decreased from N75,000 last week to N60,000 now.

He stated that a fortnight ago, a basket of onions was sold for N115,000 but now it is sold for N100,000.

Nonetheless, he affirmed that the cost of matured onions persisted at N130,000 per basket.

According to Mrs. Ozioma Mbah, a vendor of tomatoes, she previously purchased a basket of Cameroon-grown tomatoes transported via Calabar route for N35,000.

On the other hand, she mentioned that due to the availability of Gboko tomatoes in the market, Cameroon tomatoes experienced a decrease in price down to N22,000.

“Currently, Gboko tomatoes are priced at N27,000,” Mbah stated. He further mentioned that the transportation cost of each basket from the north to Aba amounts to N10,000.

Her concern was that the ongoing increase in fuel prices might lead to a further rise in transportation costs next week.