N30k for bag of rice, crate of eggs now N2k… traders grapple with low sales amid rising food prices - Newstrends
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N30k for bag of rice, crate of eggs now N2k… traders grapple with low sales amid rising food prices

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The prices of food items continue to soar across major markets in Lagos, as traders complained of low sales amid declining purchasing power.

This is according to a market survey conducted by The Cable.

Recently, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) warnedthat global import bills could reach record levels in 2021 — a 14 percent jump from the 2020 record.

The food outlook report said the spike in global food prices would weigh heavier on the side of low-income countries like Nigeria. 

Joseph Aleekwe, an elderly trader, who started his business with N7000 in the 1990s at the Alaba Rago market, Lagos, reminisced on “good old days” when he started trading.

“I started my business with N7000. I rented a shop and stocked my shop with food items with that amount of money,” he said.

“But today, N7000 cannot even buy a bag of wheat.”

Aleekwe’s claim was correct as the price of a bag of wheat now sells at N17,000, a 21.43 percent jump from N14,000 previous months. 

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PRICES INCREASE EVERY DAY – TRADERS

For traders at the popular Iyana Iba market, most prices of food items have escalated in the last few months, thereby diminishing purchasing power with them witnessing low sales return.

“The prices of items increase every day. If you come to the market tomorrow, you will not get the same price you will get today,” some of the traders said.

“We don’t know what will happen as we are entering a festive season now. For most of us, we are even looking at how to get more money to buy items and sell during the season.”

EGG JUMPED BY 67%, RICE 20%

The price of local rice (50 kilogrammes), which used to be N20,000 in the first half of the year — rising by 15 percent — increased to N23,000.

Foreign-made rice (50kg), on the other hand, surged from N25,000 in the first half of the year to N30,000, signifying a 20 percent increase.

Also, vegetable oil (25 litres) had a market price of N23,000 but increased to N25,000, up by 8.7 percent.

A crate of medium-sized eggs jumped from N1200 to N2000, year-on-year, representing a 67 percent increase.

A big basket of tomatoes was N19,000, with a small basket traded for N4500. A 10kg size of semo went from N4800 to N5300, while a bag of corn that used to be between N8000 and N9000 doubled its price to about N19,000 and N22,000.

A loaf of bread also recorded an increase in price from N350 last year to N500 in 2021. A bag of garri was purchased at N12,500 — increasing by 4% — from N12,000 recorded in the same month, the previous year.

A bag of groundnuts increased from N48,000 in October to N52,000 in November.

A carton of croaker fish is now N30,000, and a medium-sized frozen chicken (full) rose from N1,700 in October and N1,500 in November 2020 to N2,000 in November.

COST OF BEANS DROPPED

A bag of brown beans — was 80,000 in October — decreased to N65,000, representing 18.75 percent drop. Despite the fall, the price represented a 62.50 percent surge compared to November 2020, when the price was N40,000.

The selling price of a bag of white beans also decreased by 0.08 percent from N60,000 in October to N55,000 in November. It was 30.95 percent higher than the purchasing price of N42,000 in the preceding year.

Also, one derica of beans (four tins) fell from N700 to about N550.

Shansu Salisumukhtar, a trader at Alaba Rago market, told TheCable that the decline in the prices — after it soared to N100,000 earlier in the year — could be attributed to the inflow of newly-harvested beans into Nigerian markets.

“New beans is in the market… that is why the price is going down,” he said.

The Cable

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CFAO Mobility Open Day to offer special deals on new vehicles, parts, diagnostics

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CFAO Mobility Open Day to offer special deals on new vehicles, parts, diagnostics

 

CFAO Mobility has announced plans to host the 2026 edition of its flagship CFAO Mobility Open Day, aimed at showcasing a wide range of innovative mobility solutions.

In a statement, the company said the event would take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 9am to 6pm.

The Open Day is expected to bring together leading global automotive and equipment brands in a dynamic exhibition tailored to meet diverse mobility needs.

Participating brands are Toyota, BYD, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Fuso, JCB, Howo, Sino Equipment, King Long, TechKing Tyres, Yamaha, Winpart and Auto Fast.

According to CFAO Mobility, attendees will experience an extensive display of products and services, ranging from brand-new vehicles and motorcycles to outboard engines, fleet management solutions, spare parts and aftermarket services.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will also feature test drives, professional vehicle diagnostics and exclusive spare-parts deals, offering participants a hands-on and engaging experience.

The company urged car enthusiasts, business owners and prospective buyers to take advantage of the Open Day to explore mobility solutions tailored to their personal and business needs.

With over 120 years of presence in Nigeria, CFAO Mobility remains a key player in the mobility and healthcare sectors.

It added that the Open Day reflects its continued commitment to delivering innovative, customer-focused mobility solutions.

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Naira Strengthens to ₦1,359.31/$ as CBN Data Shows Further Gain in Official Market

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Naira Strengthens to ₦1,359.31/$ as CBN Data Shows Further Gain in Official Market

The Naira continued its positive performance on Thursday, appreciating further in the official foreign exchange market to close at ₦1,359.31 per US dollar, according to data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The latest figure represents an improvement of ₦12.50 compared to the previous trading day, reflecting a 0.9 percent gain from Wednesday’s closing rate of ₦1,371.82/$.

The appreciation highlights continued stability in the official foreign exchange window, where recent policy measures have helped improve liquidity and reduce pressure on the local currency.

Market analysts attribute the naira’s relative strength to ongoing foreign exchange reforms by the CBN, increased dollar supply in official channels, and tighter regulation aimed at narrowing the gap between official and parallel market rates.

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The CBN has in recent months intensified efforts to stabilise the currency through measures such as improved FX market transparency, better coordination with market participants, and steps to attract foreign portfolio inflows.

Despite the gains in the official market, traders note that the parallel market remains more volatile, with rates still influenced by strong demand for foreign currency from importers, travellers, and businesses outside official allocation channels.

Economists say the recent appreciation could help ease short-term inflationary pressure, particularly on imported goods, fuel pricing, and manufacturing inputs, although they caution that sustained stability will depend on broader macroeconomic fundamentals.

These include stronger foreign reserves, improved export earnings—especially from crude oil—and continued investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic policy direction.

The naira’s performance also comes amid renewed attention on Nigeria’s broader economic outlook, with stakeholders closely monitoring the impact of monetary tightening and ongoing fiscal reforms.

As of the latest trading sessions, market participants expect the CBN to maintain its current policy stance in the near term as it works to consolidate recent gains in the foreign exchange market in Nigeria.

Naira Strengthens to ₦1,359.31/$ as CBN Data Shows Further Gain in Official Market

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Nigeria May Face ₦2,000 Petrol Price Without Intervention, TUC Warns FG

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President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Festus Osifo
President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Festus Osifo

TUC Warns Petrol May Hit ₦2,000/Litre, Proposes Crude Revenue Subsidy Plan to FG

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has warned that petrol prices in Nigeria could rise to as high as ₦2,000 per litre if urgent economic measures are not introduced to stabilise the country’s energy and currency markets.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, issued the warning during a press briefing in Abuja, citing the combined impact of rising global crude oil prices and continued depreciation of the naira as major drivers of worsening fuel costs.

Osifo said Nigerian workers are already under severe economic pressure, noting that in some parts of the country, fuel pump prices are already approaching the ₦2,000 threshold due to market volatility and transportation differentials.

He explained that the 2026 national budget benchmarked crude oil at about $64.85 per barrel, while current international prices hover around $100 per barrel, creating what he described as significant “excess revenue” for the government.

The TUC is proposing that the Federal Government allocate about 60% of this excess crude revenue to support local production by subsidising crude supply to domestic refineries, including the Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries.

According to Osifo, this approach would be more transparent and harder to manipulate than the previous fuel subsidy regime, while also helping to reduce the cost of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel within a short period.

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He argued that targeted support at the refinery level could reduce pump prices within two weeks if implemented, stressing that the current cost structure is unsustainable for households and businesses.

The TUC president also criticised the slow expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, noting that although CNG adoption is being promoted as an alternative to petrol, the absence of refuelling stations along major highways limits its practicality for long-distance transport.

Beyond economic issues, Osifo also raised concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of the country, particularly recent killings in Plateau State, urging the government to strengthen military response capabilities with modern technology and intelligence tools.

He warned that failure to address rising fuel costs could reverse recent gains in inflation control, arguing that high petrol prices directly impact inflation, transport fares, and food costs across Nigeria.

Osifo further suggested that the naira’s fair value should ideally be within the ₦800–₦900 per dollar range to ease pressure on fuel pricing and broader economic stability.

The TUC stated that it will formally present its proposal to the Federal Government ahead of upcoming federation revenue distributions, insisting that urgent intervention is necessary to prevent further economic hardship.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not issued an official response to the proposal or the ₦2,000-per-litre warning.

Nigeria May Face ₦2,000 Petrol Price Without Intervention, TUC Warns FG

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