As Nigerians prepare for the yuletide, many have continued to groan under the suffocating prices of foodstuffs that continue to go beyond the reach of the common man.

Recall that on Friday, December 15, 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), disclosed that Nigeria’s inflation rate bad increased to 27.33 per cent in October 2023.

However, the rising inflation rate has been blamed on a weak monetary policy, devaluation of the naira, and also the removal of fuel subsidy which has led to increase in transportation cost.

According to our findings, below is a list of staple food items whose prices have escalated compared to what was obtainable in 2022.

Rice

Rice is the most common food in Nigeria. As of 2022, a 50kg bag of rice was sold between N25,000 to N32,000, but presently, a bag of rice now ranges between N50,000 to N55,000, while one derica of rice is now sold between N900 and N1,050.

Speaking on this development, Bunmi, a private school teacher said the increase in the price of rice is a major challenge for her family.

 

Unlike before when we eat rice on a daily basis, we now eat rice once in a while due to increase in price.

“Please, if there is a way the Federal Government can bring down the prices of food items, let them do so, because the poor masses are really suffering.”

 Goat

The average price of live goat now sells between N50,000 to N150, 000 (depending on the size), while it was sold between N20,000 to N70,000 last year.

Additionally, 1kg of meat now costs N2,600 as against the N1,500 it was last year. Most Nigerians need live goats as sacrifice for Christmas.

Pepper

As of December 2022, the smallest basket of pepper was sold between N2,500 to N3,000. Presently, the same size of basket now ranges between N6,000 to N8,000, indicating a 100 per cent increase.

Speaking on the present price of pepper, Abdullahi, a pepper seller said the increase in price of pepper is due to hike in transportation cost.

Onion

Just like the price of every other food item has increased, the same thing applies to the price of onion.

In fact, the price of onion has tripled compared to the amount it was sold last year.

In December 2022, a medium-sized bucket of onion cost N5,000, presently, same sized bucket of onion is now sold between N15,000 to N18,000.

Chicken

The price of a live chicken now ranges between N12,000 to N18,000 (depending on the size). Meanwhile, it was sold between N6,000 to N8,000 in 2022.

Reacting to the development, Adewale, a resident of Lagos said, “Before now, my plan was to buy three chicken, but when I got to the market yesterday, and due to the exorbitant prices, I was able to buy just one.

Groundnut oil

Groundnut oil is also one of the main food items needed by every household.

Last year, a five litre keg of groundnut oil was sold for N4,500, but presently,cost N7,800.

Speaking with Modupe Naomi, another Lagos resident, who lamented the hike in the prices of food items, she noted that most households might not celebrate the festive period happily.

“Prices of food items are now very high, and there is no corresponding increase in salaries. A lot of people would probably not celebrate this year’s Christmas in a happy mood.”

Garri

At Agbado market, Lagos State, Bunmi, a trader cofirmed that a paint-bucket of garri is now N1,500, as against the N700 it was sold last year.

Bunmi said, “Prices of food items are now very expensive, even gaari that used to be the cheapest is now N1500, but at leeast it is still affordable compared to the orice of rice.

“A lot of families will use garri to celebrate this Christmas, because that is the cheapest food item an average family can afford at the moment.

Fish

A fish farrmer, who gave reasons for the increase in price of cat fish.

Annie disclosed that 1kg of cat fish which was sold N800 in 2022 now costs N2,000.

According to her, the increase is due to hike in cost of transportation and also increase in the price of fish feed.

“Transportation is now on the high side, and also cost of fish feed has increased, these two factors are really having a negative impact on business generally.

“Also, I have recorded decrease in sales due to the in hike in price, as many people now opt for frozen foods especially during this festive period”, she said.

Yam

At Sayedero market, Ilaro, Ogun state, 40 tubers of yam now ranges netween N40,000 to N60,000.