Price Surge Dampens Festive Spirit as Chicken Prices Hit N25,000, Turkey N130,000

With Christmas and New Year festivities around the corner, the skyrocketing costs of essential food items have sparked concern across Nigeria. From chicken and turkey to cooking oil and cows, the prices of these commodities have risen significantly, leaving many civil servants and families bracing for a low-key celebration.

A market survey conducted by Daily Trust in major cities revealed an alarming trend. At Wuse and Utako markets in Abuja, local turkeys now cost between N85,000 and N130,000, while "agric" turkeys are priced between N110,000 and N140,000, representing a 30% increase compared to last year. Chickens, depending on size, sell for N8,000 to N25,000.

Ibrahim Musa, a poultry seller at the Railway Market in Plateau State, lamented the slow sales caused by the high prices. “Even during the peak season, when we usually expect massive patronage, sales have been very low. Prices for chickens range from N8,000 to N25,000, while turkeys go for between N70,000 and N110,000,” he said.

In Makurdi, Benue State, prices remain similarly steep. Chickens cost between N15,000 and N22,000, while turkeys are sold for N65,000. Groundnut oil, another staple, now costs between N19,000 and N22,000 for a four-litre bottle.

One resident, Olije Edward, described her struggle with the festive expenses. “How can we celebrate properly when everything is this expensive? What should be a season of celebration has instead become a period of anxiety for many families like mine,” she said.

Similarly, in Bayelsa, the Swali Market sees turkeys priced at N65,000, chickens at N25,000, and a five-litre gallon of groundnut oil at N25,000. A goat costs between N80,000 and N90,000. A civil servant, Ebitare, expressed her frustration. “Even the N80,000 minimum wage promised by the government hasn’t been paid yet. We have no choice but to scale down celebrations. The most important thing is life,” she stated.

The cattle market has not been spared. According to Malam Rabiu Muhammad, chairman of the Jos Cattle Market, cows now sell for between N700,000 and N1.5 million. “The high cost is discouraging buyers, and the market is heavily impacted,” he said.

Economist Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises, attributed the price surge to various factors. “Energy costs, transportation expenses, and insecurity have all contributed. Many farmers have abandoned their farms due to displacement, and fiscal mismanagement is further heating up the economy,” Yusuf explained.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported an inflation rate of 34.60% in November 2024, with food inflation rising to 39.93%. Many Nigerians now find themselves grappling with difficult choices as the holiday season approaches, with limited resources to meet the rising cost of living.

Despite these challenges, many Nigerians remain optimistic, focusing on the essence of the season rather than its material aspects. As Ebitare concluded, “We will still celebrate the gift of life and hope for better days ahead.”