Rising costs of essential food items, including rice, chicken, onions, and vegetables, have overshadowed the festive spirit for many Nigerians this Christmas. Residents and traders across the country lament the sharp increase in prices compared to last year, leaving many households struggling to adjust their holiday plans to fit tighter budgets.
Price Hikes Force Adjustments
Maryam Ibrahim, an Abuja-based teacher and mother of five, shared her struggles:
“I can’t afford a live turkey this year. I’ll buy frozen chicken instead and skip some ingredients. Even tomatoes are becoming a luxury.”
She plans to prepare rice and stew instead of the usual jollof or fried rice due to the rising costs and stagnant earnings.
A survey across major markets reveals significant price increases:
- Frozen chicken: From N2,000-N2,500 per kilogram last year to N5,000 now.
- Live chicken (broilers): Ranges between N15,000 and N40,000, compared to N10,000-N20,000 last year.
- Live turkey: Now over N100,000, up from N40,000-N50,000.
- Vegetable oil (25-litre keg): Now N90,000, up from N60,000.
- Local rice (50kg bag): Ranges from N87,000 to N92,000, up from less than N70,000.
Other items such as onions, tomatoes, and pepper have also seen significant price jumps, with some opting for alternatives like spring onions to stretch their budgets.
Economic Challenges Behind the Crisis
The soaring prices are tied to recent economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have exacerbated inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. Efforts by the federal government, such as subsidized food items and increased minimum wages, have had minimal impact.
Poultry farmers have been hit particularly hard, with rising feed costs forcing many to shut down operations. Similarly, poor post-harvest storage and transportation issues have led to significant food wastage, further driving up prices.
Coping Strategies
Families are adapting by reducing portion sizes, substituting ingredients, or pooling resources. Emeka Okafor, a businessman in Abuja, noted, “I usually host extended family during Christmas, but this year, I’ve asked everyone to contribute money so we can share the cost.”
Traders like Kenneth Oji, a chicken seller, predict prices will continue to rise until after the festive season, citing high production costs and limited supply.
Market Realities
In Abuja’s Gosa Market, a small basket of tomatoes now costs over N8,000, while a kilogram of beef sells for N6,500 to N7,000. In Ekiti’s Olojudo Market, a sizable broiler costs N20,000 or more, doubling last year’s price.
Despite the hardships, families and traders alike are hoping for better days. As one butcher expressed, “Maybe people will start coming as Christmas day gets closer or once salaries are paid.”
The steep rise in food prices highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions to stabilize Nigeria’s economy and ensure affordable access to essential goods for all citizens.
Rising costs of staple food items have left many Nigerians struggling to celebrate Christmas as they traditionally would. Across major markets in Enugu, Lagos, and other states, the prices of eggs, rice, chicken, and vegetables have surged, forcing families to revise their holiday menus and budgets.
Significant Price Increases
- Eggs: A crate now sells for between N5,500 and N6,000, compared to much lower prices earlier in the year. Nike Ojo, an egg seller, attributed the rise to increased demand for baking during the festive season.
- Pepper: The price of a basket has climbed from N50,000 to between N80,000 and N90,000.
- Rice:
- Local (50kg bag): Increased from N70,000-N75,000 in October to N80,000-N85,000.
- Foreign Local (50kg bag): Now N110,000, up from N100,000 last month.
- Foreign (50kg bag): Between N150,000 and N160,000, though slightly lower than mid-year prices.
- Rice farmer Chukwudi Agwa noted that aggressive rice farming this year helped stabilize prices somewhat, unlike other commodities.
- Crayfish: A paint of dried crayfish jumped from N3,500-N5,000 in September to N10,000-N11,000, with a bag now costing N300,000, up from N160,000.
- Chicken:
- Broilers now sell for N23,000-N25,000, up from N14,000-N15,000 in November.
- Old layers are priced at N8,000-N10,000, compared to N5,500-N6,500 in October.
- Vegetable Oil: A three-litre container now costs N13,500-N14,000, up from N12,000-N12,500 last month.
- Onions: A bag now sells for between N250,000 and N300,000, a rise from N240,000-N250,000 earlier this month.
Voices from the Markets
Enugu
Chinasa Ukaegbu, a tricycle rider and father of three, shared his frustration during a visit to Kenya Market. Unable to afford a full bag of rice for his family, he opted for a smaller quantity:
“Will I kill myself because I don’t have money for a full bag of rice? Whatever I am able to afford on Christmas day, I will buy,” he said.
Similarly, Augustina Udeh, another shopper at Ogbete Market, lamented the rising cost of rice and other staples:
“This bag of rice was less than N100,000 last month. Today, they said it’s N110,000. There’s no money, yet prices keep increasing.”
Lagos
In Lagos, Bala Atiku, a pepper and onion vendor in the Ojodu area, described the impact of the price hikes on his business. Despite charging N500 for three small onions, he said he is struggling to make a profit.
“The high cost of onions is affecting my business. It’s becoming difficult to survive. I’m considering abandoning this trade for a better one,” he said.
Families Adapting to Soaring Costs
Faced with skyrocketing food prices, many families are making difficult adjustments. From reducing portion sizes to skipping traditional dishes, the financial strain has reshaped festive celebrations. Some, like Mr. Ukaegbu, have opted for smaller quantities, while others, such as Emeka Okafor in Abuja, have asked friends and family to pool resources for a collective celebration.
As food prices continue to climb, Nigerians remain hopeful for relief, but many acknowledge that immediate solutions are unlikely to address the economic pressures they face this festive season.
