Prices of key foodstuffs have dropped significantly in major markets across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
A survey conducted in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Yola-North and Numan shows a steady decline in the prices of rice, maize, beans, pepper, millet, spaghetti and cooking oils compared with prices earlier in the year.
At Monday Market in Maiduguri, a 50kg bag of rice, previously sold for between N78,000 and N82,000 in August and September, now trades at N64,000 to N65,000.
Similarly, the price of a 100kg bag of maize has fluctuated from N60,000 to N65,000, then to N40,000, and now to N45,000.
White beans dropped from N105,000 to N85,000, while a basket of fresh pepper, formerly as high as N70,000–N85,000, now sells for N6,500–N8,500.
The price of millet has fallen to around N46,000 from N65,000, and sorghum has declined to approximately N38,000 from N50,000 to N55,000.
Malam Haruna Bukar, a grains dealer in Maiduguri, attributed the decline to increased local supply and better access to farms following security improvements in parts of Jere, Konduga and Mafa LGAs.
“We are getting more paddy rice and maize from communities around Zabarmari, Muna and Dusuman. Prices came down because supply increased,” he explained.
Retailers welcomed the price drop but warned it might be temporary. Hajiya Amina Umar, a beans and garri trader in Baga Road Market, said:
“Customers are happy, but we fear that once this harvest passes, prices will climb again because we don’t have storage. If the government provides storage centres, we can buy in bulk and keep prices stable.”
Pepper seller Fatima Mohammed highlighted that the influx of new harvests from Biu, Shani, and Damboa has driven prices down; however, high transportation costs continue to affect the market.
Malam Babagana Lawan, a millet and sorghum retailer at Tashan Bama Market, stated that insecurity and the lack of affordable transportation remain the biggest threats to long-term price stability.
At Damaturu’s Bayan Tasha Market, prices of major staples have almost halved since February. White beans now cost N3,000 per big measure, red beans N2,400, rice N2,500, maize N1,000, millet N800, spaghetti N13,000 per carton, and Kings cooking oil N15,000.
In Yola Central Market, a 50kg bag of local rice now sells for N32,000–N36,000, down from N48,000–N55,000 three months ago.
A medium measure of maize has dropped to N550–N650, while beans are now N900 to N1,000, down from N1,500.
Economist Dr Binta Yahaya of Yobe State University attributed the decline to massive grain importation policies by the current administration, which have increased market supply and reduced inflationary pressure.
“The law of demand and supply dictates that if there is too much supply of goods, prices automatically fall,” she said, while urging the government to balance importation with local farming support.
Dr Obadiah Noah, retired Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, added that sustaining lower prices requires investment in local production, improved irrigation, better roads, and enhanced security for farmers. He also stressed the importance of stable import policies, access to credit, and rural infrastructure to reduce transportation costs.
Traders and customers alike are calling for policies that support farmers, stabilise prices, and maintain affordable food costs.
Measures suggested include establishing grain storage centres, subsidising farm inputs such as fertiliser, expanding rural road networks, and balancing imports with local production incentives.
Source: NAN
