Prices of various food items have surged across markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, a recent market survey has revealed.
The sharp price increases have placed immense pressure on both traders and consumers, with many households now struggling to afford basic food items.
Checks conducted across multiple markets in the FCT on Sunday showed that the price hike cuts across all locations, including satellite towns. Both traders and shoppers expressed frustration over the soaring costs, calling for urgent government intervention to stabilize food prices.
At the popular Orange Market along the Abuja-Keffi Road—widely regarded as the ‘hub of bulk food trade’—a basket of tomatoes that sold for N25,000 to N35,000 in May is now priced between N65,000 and N75,000.
Similarly, a big bag of onions that cost between N15,000 and N25,000 in May now sells for N45,000 to N50,000, while a dustbin basket of onions rose from N2,500–N3,000 to N5,500–N6,000.
At Wuse Market, a small dustbin basket of tomatoes previously sold for N5,000 to N7,000 in March now goes for between N12,000 and N15,000.
A dustbin basket of pepper rose from N10,000 in March to N17,000, while the same quantity of tatashe is now priced between N20,000 and N22,000, up from N15,000.
A large-sized tuber of yam now sells for N8,000 at Wuse Market, while a smaller one goes for N4,500.
In Utako Market, the price of a dustbin basket of sweet potatoes has climbed from N1,500–N2,000 to N3,000–N4,500.
Onions at the same market are now priced between N6,500 and N7,500, up from N4,000–N5,000 in May.
At Apo Fish Market, traders lamented poor sales and low customer turnout, which they attributed to the steep price increases.
Mr. Idris Ahmed, a vegetable seller at the Apo Market, said he often sells below cost price just to attract customers.
“I now sell tomatoes at N12,000 per basket while others go for N14,000–N17,000,” he said. “A dustbin basket of pepper, tatashe, and shombo go for N18,000, N16,000, and N17,000 respectively. Even sweet potatoes now cost N3,000.”
Ahmed added that most customers request credit purchases or heavy discounts. “I don’t blame them. People are really struggling.”
He called on the government to urgently address the crisis and help reduce the prices of essential food items.
At Gwagwalada Market, a basket of pepper that sold for N15,000 in May is now N17,000.
Madam Alheri Yohanna, a pepper trader, said a small paint bucket of tomatoes rose from N4,500 last week to N6,000.
“People no longer buy in bulk,” she said. “Things are expensive. I often go home having sold less than N5,000 worth.”
Hassan Husseini, another trader, confirmed that a basket of onions had risen from N4,000 to N7,500, while Irish potatoes increased from N12,000 to N14,000.
Mrs. Rebecca Terve, a consumer, said her family of five was struggling to feed adequately due to the skyrocketing food prices.
She urged the government to address factors driving up prices, especially the high cost of transportation.
Ms. Ifeoma Atuegwu, a single mother of three, said her family had been forced to cut out protein from their diet due to rising costs.
“My children are no longer getting the nutrition they need. The prices are beyond what I can afford,” she lamented.
Despite the general increase in prices, some food items—like rice—have seen a slight drop. A bag of rice, previously sold for N80,000 to N87,000 in Nyanya, Wuse, and Utako markets, now goes for N70,000 to N77,000, depending on the brand.
Mr. Raphael Ogodo, a rice seller, attributed the drop to recent government interventions and called for similar action across other food commodities.
“We’ve seen some relief in rice prices. We hope the government extends this intervention to other food items so that people can feed their families again,” he said.
