Sallah: Consumers Lament Soaring Food Prices Across Nigeria

Consumers across Nigeria have raised concerns over the sharp increase in food prices ahead of the Eid al-Fitr (Salah), saying the surge is putting severe pressure on household budgets.

In Lagos, market checks showed steep rises in staple items. A small bag of pepper now sells for about N36,000, up from N18,000, while a big bag of onions has jumped to N105,000 from N60,000. Similarly, a basket of tomatoes has risen from N32,000 to as high as N67,000.

A consumer, Olufade Sunday, lamented the declining purchasing power of his income, noting that he had to borrow extra money to meet his needs.

“Before, what I bought for N1,000 is no longer possible even with N1,500. I brought N10,000 to the market, but it wasn’t enough,” he said, adding that rising transport costs and other essentials have worsened the situation.

A consumer, Olufade Sunday, lamented the reduced purchasing power of his income, saying he had to borrow the N10,000 budgeted for his initial spending.

“Before what I used to spend N1000 which is usually much but now with N1500, I cannot buy the same amount. The small crate of pepper sold for N200 is now N500. I brought N10,000 to the market to buy food items to celebrate Sallah but it was not enough. I had to borrow N500 to add to what I have,” he said.

He added that the rising cost of other essentials has strained his spending, adding the cost of transportation has exacerbated the rise in the cost of living.

“Also, an eva-pet sized red oil has also increased to N2000 from N1500, I budgeted N1800 for it. Transportation costs have also increased. I will have to trek home. The salary is not enough and has not increased. I wondered why we struggle with agriculture in our country,” he said.

Another consumer, Attah Abigael, highlighted how even simple meals have become expensive, saying the impact is already evident in daily meal planning of many households.

Another resident, Attah Abigael, said even basic meals have become expensive. “Imagine spending N5,000 just to cook a simple meal,” she said.

Traders attributed the price hikes largely to increased fuel costs affecting transportation and supply chains. A trader, Yeria Shehu Abdullahi, said the cost of pepper and tomatoes has doubled in recent weeks due to higher logistics expenses.

In Abuja, residents expressed similar frustrations, linking the surge to rising fuel prices, with petrol selling for as high as N1,300 per litre in some stations. At Wuse Market, a basket of tomatoes now sells for between N28,000 and N30,000, up from N18,000–N22,000.

In Abuja, major fuel stations like AA Rano among others sell petrol at N1,300 per liter

Staples such as rice and meat have also recorded increases. A 50kg bag of rice now sells for between N60,000 and N65,000, while a kilogram of meat has risen to about N8,500 from N7,000.

At Wuse Market, a medium basket of fresh tomatoes that previously sold for moderate prices of between N18,000 to N22,000 now costs significantly higher ranging from N28,000 to N30,000 with traders blaming transportation expenses.

“We bring these tomatoes from the North, and with the cost of fuel, everything has gone up,” said a vegetable seller, who identified herself as Aisha Salisu. “Even pepper and onions are not left out,” he added.

In Kano, prices of perishable items and poultry have also increased due to rising demand and transport costs, although some non-perishable items remain relatively stable.

The rise in prices of perishable items is attributed to to rising transportation costs linked to the fuel price hike as well as increasing demand ahead of Sallah.

A resident Mujahid  Halliru said he is waiting for a particular woman to bring her chicken as the one offered to him at N8500 each are not ‘big enough’ noting that a medium size chicken is sold at N8500 while others are sold at N7500.

“I am contemplating buying beef instead of chicken because with N20,000 I can buy enough beef to prepare Sallah soup. I need at least N40,000 to buy five chickens for Sallah,” he explained.

At Tarauni market a kilogram of chicken has risen to N5000 from N4800 it was sold previously.

Live birds sellers at the same market also said the price starts from N5000 and the bigger ones cost up to N10,000 and above.

Perishable items such as tomatoes, pepper and onions have recorded significant price increases at Yan Kaba Market ahead of Sallah.

A basket of tomatoes now costs about N20,000, while a bag of pepper sells for between N40,000 and N48,000 depending on the size.

Yushau Karaye, a trader in perishable items, said prices usually increase a few days before Sallah due to rising demand, but the current rise is also impacted by transportation costs.

“Usually, prices of perishable items rise a few days before Sallah because of increased demand. Transportation cost is the major factor determining prices now.

“I was selling a bowl of tomatoes for N800 up to the second day of Ramadan fasting, but now I sell it for N1,500.

“Perishable items are not the kind of food you can buy in bulk and store. They can easily rot, especially now that the weather is becoming very hot. Traders may suffer losses if they stock too much. Because of this, we buy in small quantities daily to meet customers’ demands,” he said. (BusinessDay)