As Nigeria experiences bumper harvests in various regions, food prices have shown mixed effects across Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States.
In some areas, prices have decreased due to an influx of new harvests, while in others, prices remain high or have seen only slight reductions.
In Kano State, the cost of grains has dropped, with a notable decrease in the prices of maize, millet, and beans. However, local rice remains expensive due to high demand. Malam Tanko Idris, a produce dealer, explained, “The availability of products is due to the bumper harvests.” Meanwhile, tomatoes have seen a significant price drop, but onions have become more expensive. Abubakar Labaran, a trader, noted, “The increase in the price of onions was due to the recent rains, which led to a shortage in supply.”
In Kaduna, prices have stabilized, with some areas experiencing reductions, particularly in hybrid maize and local rice. Farmers in Kafanchan reported a gradual reduction in food prices. Amos Barnabas, a large-scale farmer, said, “Food prices are gradually coming down in the markets because farmers have started harvesting their crops.” However, prices remain high in Kaduna city, where consumers report little change. Amina Mohammed, a consumer, expressed her frustration: “The difference is too insignificant; the prices of beans and corn flour have remained the same.”
In Katsina State, despite the ongoing harvest season, prices for some food items remain elevated, while perishable goods like tomatoes have seen a price reduction. Malam Abubakar Adamu, a perishables seller, observed, “A big basket of tomatoes, which was sold for about N120,000 to N150,000 a few months ago, is now being sold for N20,000 to N25,000.” However, the prices for grains like millet and maize have shown little change. Malam Yusuf Ibrahim, a resident, commented, “It is a harvest period, so the prices of food items will continue falling day-by-day as new crops are coming to the markets.”
Farmers across these regions are optimistic about further price reductions as the harvest season progresses. Kambai Modecai, a farmer in Kafanchan, predicted, “Food prices will further crash in the coming months following the Federal Government’s suspension of import duties on food items, He stated.”
