Seventeen days into 2025, residents of Kaduna State are beginning to experience relief as food prices take a downward turn. A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed a steady decline in the cost of grains and staple food items, a contrast to the sharp increases recorded in 2024.
A visit to Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Market, the central market in Kaduna, showed that traders have adjusted their prices in response to changing market conditions. Some of the price reductions observed include a 50kg bag of foreign rice, which previously sold for between ₦125,000 – ₦130,000, now going for ₦120,000 – ₦123,000. Similarly, the price of yams, which peaked at ₦7,000 per tuber, has now dropped to between ₦5,000 – ₦6,000. A set of five yams, which sold for ₦28,000, is now available for ₦25,000.
Other food items have also seen a price decline. A local measure of eight cups of beans, which was previously sold for between ₦3,000 – ₦3,500, now costs ₦2,500. Similarly, the price of garri per measure has reduced from ₦1,400 – ₦1,500 to ₦1,200, while a carton of Indomie noodles has seen a slight decrease from ₦7,700 to ₦7,500.
Market Reactions and Consumer Sentiments
Many consumers have expressed optimism that food prices will continue to drop. Hafsat Muhammad, a shopper at the market, said she was relieved that a local measure of rice, which previously cost ₦2,400, now sells for ₦2,100. She also noted that corn, which was ₦1,200 per measure, now sells for ₦900.
For business owners, however, the price reduction has altered their expectations. Hajiya Ummi Shuaibu, a maize trader, said she had stocked up on maize after the harvest, expecting prices to rise as they did in 2024. However, with the recent decline in food costs, she has been forced to sell off her stock sooner than planned.
“I was expecting the prices to go up like last year, but they didn’t. So I have to bring out my stock to avoid running at a loss,” she said.
According to her, a bag of corn, which previously cost ₦60,000, now sells for between ₦50,000 – ₦55,000, forcing traders like herself to adjust their pricing strategies.
Factors Behind the Price Reduction
Market analysts suggest that several factors could be responsible for the drop in food prices. The arrival of the new harvest season has increased the supply of food items, leading to lower costs. Additionally, improved transportation conditions have facilitated the movement of goods from farms to markets, ensuring better availability. Some analysts also point to government policies aimed at stabilizing food prices and reducing inflationary pressures.
While the reductions are not yet drastic, the trend has given many consumers hope that food affordability will continue to improve. Many households in Kaduna are now optimistic that 2025 will bring further relief from the economic hardship experienced in previous years.
