Lagos consumers are increasingly turning to stockfish heads as scarcity continues to drive up prices of the popular soup ingredient across major markets in the state.
Traders and consumers, who spoke with reporters on Sunday in Lagos, attributed the development to limited supply, rising demand, and distribution challenges.
Stockfish, a key ingredient in many Nigerian soups — especially among Igbo households — is mainly imported from Iceland and Norway. Nigeria remains the world’s largest importer of Norwegian stockfish.
Traders said the product has become scarce in recent months, leading to sharp price increases.
A wholesale dealer at Oyingbo Foodstuff Market, Mr Udoka Umeaku, said a 30kg sack of stockfish heads now sells for about N500,000, up from N385,000 in December last year.
“The increase is mainly due to scarcity, not the dollar rate. A recent shipment was turned back, disrupting supply. The America-Iran war has been blamed for the disruption,” he said.
Umeaku expressed optimism that prices would drop once supply improves.
The Patron of the Aborigine Stockfish Sellers Association, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Orji Onuoha, blamed the price surge on scarcity, exchange rate fluctuations, and multiple middlemen in the distribution chain.
A retailer at Oyingbo Market, Mrs Ugochi Nwachukwu, said a long stockfish body now costs N75,000 and above, while a bag of heads sells for between N500,000 and N550,000. Many customers now prefer heads because they are relatively cheaper and add rich flavour to soups.
Consumers like Mrs Chika Nze, Mrs Ifeoma Ubaeze, and Mrs Felicia Onoha echoed this preference, noting that stockfish remains essential in traditional Igbo soups despite the high cost.
A food vendor at Lawanson Market, Mrs Ndidi Peters, said she now buys bony parts to cut costs while maintaining flavour.
Many households are coping by seeking alternatives or buying in smaller quantities, hoping prices will ease with improved supply.
