Buyers, Sellers in Ibadan Urge Govt to Address Rising Food Prices During Festive Season

As Christmas celebrations approach, food prices in Ibadan have seen a significant increase, prompting both buyers and sellers to call for lasting solutions to the issue.

 Interviews with traders and consumers across various markets in the city revealed widespread concerns over the impact of price hikes on families, especially during the festive season.

In a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), several market participants expressed frustration over the soaring cost of foodstuffs. "The rise in prices, especially during the festive period, is becoming unbearable for many families," said Mr. Abiodun Oyetunde, a federal civil servant.

He urged the Federal Government to intervene by selling foodstuffs directly to citizens at affordable rates. "This would help break the monopoly of warehouse hoarders who inflate prices for higher profits," he added.

Oyetunde also raised concerns over delayed salary payments, which he believes have further exacerbated the situation for many families. "The delay in salary payments is a big issue, and it’s preventing many from being able to afford the food they need for the holiday season," he said.

For others like Mrs. Uju Okwudiri, 2024 has been a financially challenging year. She expressed concern over the rising cost of chicken, which now costs around N25,000, making it unaffordable for most families.

 "The price of chicken is now out of reach for many, and I encourage housewives to try raising local chickens in their backyards if possible," Okwudiri suggested.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Folake Sodimu emphasized the need for the government to invest in silos and storage facilities to support farmers and traders dealing with perishable goods. "If we had better storage systems in place, we could reduce food waste and ensure that produce is available year-round," she said.

A media consultant, Mr. Sunday Adebayo, also weighed in on the issue, calling for reforms within the farming and market systems. "It is essential that government interventions reach the true farmers, not fraudulent individuals who exploit the system," Adebayo said. 

He emphasized the importance of cooperation among farmers' associations, government agencies, and market bodies to ensure fair distribution of resources.

Adebayo further argued for the modernization of farming practices, urging governments to invest in mechanized farming. "Subsistence farming is no longer sufficient. Mechanized farming can boost food production, stabilize prices, and improve the livelihoods of both farmers and consumers," he noted.

Sellers of tomatoes, peppers, and onions, who spoke with NAN, explained that their price increases were due to off-season challenges and high transportation costs from the North. A large basket of tomatoes, which used to cost between N8,000 and N10,000, now sells for between N15,000 and N20,000, while a smaller basket has gone from N5,000 to N9,000.

At the Liberty Road chicken market, Mrs. Rebecca Andrew, a poultry seller, noted a significant drop in sales compared to 2023, with chickens now selling between N22,000 and N25,000, while live turkeys cost between N70,000 and N85,000. "The rising cost of feeds and day-old chicks has directly affected the prices," she explained.

In addition to meat products, vegetable oil prices have also skyrocketed. Mrs. Maria Ajani, a vegetable oil vendor at Omi-Adio, reported that a 50kg keg now costs between N80,000 and N85,000, citing the high demand during the festive season as a contributing factor.

The price hikes extend to onions, with Mrs. Khadijat Bolarinwa, a tomato seller, confirming that a basket of tomatoes from the North now sells for N85,000. A bag of Atarodo, a popular variety of pepper, is now priced between N70,000 and N100,000, while Bawa pepper has increased to N80,000.

According to Alhaji Azeez Ademola, Chairman of the Onion Sellers Association in Oyo State, the price of onions has tripled, with a large bag now going for N300,000, compared to N100,000 in previous years. "The banditry issues in Zamfara, Yobe, and Sokoto have led to a shortage of onions, as many farmers were forced to abandon their crops," Ademola explained.

He also pointed out that the ongoing economic challenges have made it difficult for many traders to purchase goods at the usual rates, further driving up prices. "The economy has affected many households, and nearly all prices of goods in the market have soared," he said.