Some Abuja residents and traders in Dei-Dei and Dutse markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), say rising food prices are worsening living conditions and making basic meals unaffordable for many families.
The respondents spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
They attributed the persistent increase in food prices to high transportation costs, inflation, insecurity in food-producing communities and the rising cost of farm inputs.
Mrs Angela Umeh, a civil servant, said the prices of staple foods had increased significantly in recent months, making it difficult for low-income earners to feed their families.
‘Every visit to the market comes with a surprise because prices keep increasing. What I bought for N40,000 a few months ago now costs far more.
‘We have reduced the quantity of food we buy and even cut down on the number of meals we eat daily just to cope,’ she said.
Also speaking, Mr Ikenna Okeke, a father of four, shopping at Dei-Dei Market, said feeding his family had become increasingly difficult as prices of staple foods continued to rise. He said the high cost of living had forced many households to make difficult financial decisions.
According to him, families now struggle to balance feeding with other essential needs such as rent, school fees and healthcare.
‘Feeding my family has become increasingly difficult as prices of staple foods continue to rise.
‘The cost of rice, beans, tomatoes, pepper and vegetable oil keeps increasing. Many people can no longer afford a balanced diet,’ he said.
Similarly, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, a tomato trader, said the prices of vegetables and other perishable items had also increased due to poor harvests in some farming communities and post-harvest losses. He noted that traders were often misunderstood by customers, adding that they made only modest profits after paying transportation and other market-related expenses.
‘Wholesalers have continued to increase prices, leaving retailers with no option but to transfer the cost to consumers.
‘We are not happy selling at these prices because customers complain every day, but we also buy at higher rates. If we sell below cost, we will run at a loss,’ he said.
Another trader, at Dutse Market, Aisha Adamu, urged the government to provide affordable farm inputs, improve security and repair roads to reduce food production, transportation costs and ultimately lower food prices. (NAN)
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ýSome residents urged the government to strengthen measures aimed at curbing inflation, improving food supply chains and supporting local agricultural production to make food more affordable. (NAN)