Prices for basic foods, particularly rice, are starting to go down a little in a number of markets for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
It was stated that research from a number of markets shows that although grain prices, especially those of rice, have decreased in comparison to early-year figures, the price of cooking necessities like oil, tomatoes, fish, and meat is still very high.
However, a lot of people think that the slight decrease is insufficient to alleviate the financial burden that most households are currently experiencing.
The price of a 50kg bag of rice at Kubwa Market has dropped from ₦88,000 to ₦90,000 in January to as low as ₦75,000, depending on the brand.
In a similar vein, a 25kg bag that used to cost about ₦43,000 is now sold for ₦37,500 or less.
Prices in another satellite town, Nyanya Market, are even more favorable, according to a Daily Sun report. Formerly selling for between ₦90,000 and ₦93,000, a 50kg bag of rice now costs between ₦70,000 and ₦72,000, depending on the brand.
Meanwhile, rice prices are still comparatively higher in Wuse Market and other city center areas. A 50 kg bag now costs between ₦78,000 and ₦80,000, which is less than the ₦92,000 it cost in January. The 25 kg bag costs between ₦39,000 and ₦40,000.
Ingredients Still Out of Access
Residents say the cost of cooking ingredients is still too high, even with the decline in grain prices.
“It is a relief even though the reduction is not significant.” People are suffering,” Jabi civil servant Oluchi Benson said.
“Because of their better prices and measurements, I travel all the way to Mandala to buy groceries.”
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While grains might be less expensive, other things have become luxuries, according to Christy Okoye, a Kubwa resident.
“The true problems are fish, oil, and tomatoes.” Previously considered the “protein of the poor,” iced fish is now considered a luxury. Beef is more affordable than fish. According to the Daily Sun, Okoye stated, “In some places, a kilogram of beef costs more than ₦7,000, and you won’t find any fish below ₦1,500.”
A vendor in Utako Market named Mama B admitted that although rice prices have decreased, families are now having difficulty finding a variety of basic foods.
Will we only be eating rice? What about our children’s snacks, protein, or oil? Noodles and biscuits are among the items that most families forget. Now that I can afford it, I make pancakes and zobo (hibiscus drink) for my kids,” she said.
Living in Dutse Alhaji, Maria Ayo, a mother of four, described her coping mechanism. “I stopped purchasing foodstuffs in small quantities,” she stated. The contribution method, which I now employ, has improved family management. Nevertheless, fish, yams, meat, and eggs are still too costly. The government must act to raise the standard of living for the typical Nigerian.
Traders Connect Rice Contributions to Slower Sales
The common practice of rice contribution groups, in which families pool money to purchase large quantities of rice at the end of the year, is the reason why Mallam Aliyu, a trader in Wuse Market, complained that the demand for rice has decreased since the Christmas season.
Many families continue to eat from the contributions they received last year, Aliyu stated. Sales have decreased because of this.
Even though there is some hope due to the slow decline in rice prices, Abuja residents maintain that the high cost of cooking necessities and protein sources still makes daily living difficult.
Regardless of the statistics, it was stated that the general consensus is still that most families will still find it difficult to feed themselves adequately until there is a more widespread decrease in the cost of all necessary food items.
