Food and construction material prices rise across Nigeria

Traders in Enugu are reporting significant price increases for essential food items, specifically tomatoes and onions. A market survey indicates that a large bag of onions now costs between N272,000 and N280,000, up from approximately N170,000 to N185,000 in September. Tomato prices have also climbed, with large baskets now retailing between N60,000 and N68,000.

Traders attribute these spikes to supply shortages from northern Nigeria, poor road conditions, high transportation costs, and insecurity. Some sellers have temporarily ceased operations due to the inability of consumers to afford the rising costs.

In North-East Nigeria, including Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Jigawa, cement prices have increased by an average of 40 per cent. Dealers noted that the price of a bag of Dangote cement has risen from N2,400 last December to N4,000 at depots in Gombe. Residents and industry representatives have blamed the hike on a gap between supply and demand, high procurement costs, and the activities of middlemen.