With just two days until Christmas, Nigerians are reeling from a sharp surge in the prices of essential food items, casting a shadow over festive preparations. A market survey conducted in the country reveals significant increases in the cost of staples such as rice, chicken, vegetable oil, onions, and tomatoes, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.
In Umuahia’s Isi-Gate Market, a 50kg bag of locally milled rice, often referred to as “foreign local,” now costs between N75,000 and N106,000, depending on quality. Imported rice is even pricier, retailing at N120,000 per bag. Vegetable oil prices have seen dramatic hikes, with a 25-litre container selling for N95,000, while 10 litres and five litres cost N45,000 and N19,500, respectively. A litre of the product now retails at N3,700.
The situation is no different for onions. At Ubani-Ibeku Ultramodern Market, a bag of onions that previously sold for N250,000 now costs N300,000. Buyers lament that even the smallest onion bulb is priced at N300, an expense too steep for many families. “Many homes might prepare their Christmas stew without onions. It’s a sad reality,” said Priscilla Chukwu, a resident of Umuahia.
Tomatoes have followed a similar trend. A basket of fresh tomatoes that previously sold for N50,000 now goes for N80,000. A carton of sachet tomatoes ranges between N6,000 and N7,500, up from N4,000 to N5,500. The cost of fresh pepper has also climbed, with a basket now selling for N70,000 to N75,000, up from N50,000.
Market traders attribute the soaring prices to a combination of high seasonal demand, rising fuel costs, and insecurity in farming communities. “Farmers are scared to go to their fields due to insecurity, and transportation costs have also risen significantly because of unstable fuel prices,” explained tomato vendor Mrs. Nneka Iroegbu.
Protein sources are equally affected. At the Railway Station Market in Umuahia, broiler chickens that sold for N10,000 weeks ago now cost N15,000. Sellers warn that prices could rise to as high as N22,000 before Christmas due to the cost of chicken feed and increased demand.
In Imo State, the story is much the same. Vegetable oil now costs N4,000 per litre, up from N2,500, while red palm oil has risen from N1,500 to N2,500 per litre. The price of yam has also spiked, with a medium-sized tuber selling for N3,000 to N4,000, compared to N2,500 weeks ago. A mature male goat, once sold for N30,000, now costs between N40,000 and N45,000.
Economist Willy Obinna described the trend as alarming and called for urgent government intervention. “The reintroduction of commodity markets could help stabilize food prices and protect consumers during high-demand periods,” he suggested.
As Christmas approaches, Nigerians and traders alike are urging authorities to address rising costs and ease the economic strain. For many families in what should be a season of joy is turning into a battle for affordability, with festive cheer overshadowed by the harsh realities of inflation.
