There is a general downward trend in the prices of food commodities across markets in Taraba State, reporters report.
Reporters who visited some of the markets observed that the prices of most food items have dropped by almost half compared to their costs in 2024.
In Mallum Market, Ardo Kola Local Government Area, a 50kg bag of maize now sells for ₦20,000, down from ₦45,000 last year, while a measure that previously cost ₦1,500 now sells for ₦500.
Similarly, a 50kg bag of soyabeans, which sold for ₦90,000 in the period under review, has dropped to ₦45,000, and a measure now goes for ₦1,000, down from ₦2,500.
A 50kg bag of white beans now sells for ₦60,000, compared to ₦120,000 previously, while the price of a bag of brown beans has fallen to ₦55,000 from ₦125,000.
Five medium-sized tubers of yam now cost ₦8,000, down from ₦12,000 last year.
A measure of red garri now sells for ₦1,500, while a measure of white garri goes for ₦1,200.
Cassava flour (alubo) has also recorded a sharp decline, with a measure now selling for ₦200, down from ₦600, while a full bag now costs ₦8,000, compared to ₦18,000 in 2024.
Usman Jahun, a trader in Mallum Market, expressed concern that despite the significant drop in food prices, turnover remains low due to poor patronage.
Jahun attributed the low sales to weak purchasing power among buyers.
Another trader, Mrs Patricia Yahaya, who deals in yams and other produce, noted that yam prices are still fluctuating because farmers did not record bumper harvests in yam production as they did with grains.
According to her, however, the current price of yam is not significantly different from what obtained in 2024.
It is also worth noting that the measuring bowl used in some states in the North East, including Taraba and Adamawa, is almost twice the size of those used in most northern states and the FCT.
