Following the recent nationwide hunger protests, Kaduna has witnessed a significant surge in food prices and cooking gas. A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent’s market survey on Monday revealed steady price increases across various food items, including provisions, grains, and staple foods.
The prices of essential commodities like rice, beans, yams, garri, and noodles have risen for the fourth time this year alone. For instance, a kilogram of cooking gas now costs N1,400, up from N1,100-N1,120 in July. At the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi market, a 50kg bag of foreign rice increased from N79,000 to N86,000-N90,000.
Other price hikes include yams (N5,000 to N7,000 per tuber), beans (N2,000-N2,500 to N3,500 per measure), garri (N1,300 to N1,400-N1,500 per measure), Indomie noodles (N7,500 to N7,700 per carton), and Irish potatoes (N5,000-N5,500 to N6,000 per basket).
Traders attribute the price increases to higher costs at depots and transportation challenges. Some traders, like Esther James, have stopped selling eggs in bits due to the price hike. Others, like Sani Jabo, are selling onions at N500 for three bulbs.
Residents are lamenting the price hikes, citing economic hardship and the low value of the Naira. Amina Idris, a resident, said, “After the hunger protests, food prices have increased by about 50%, leaving us in a difficult economic situation.” Artisan Namoh Stephen added, “Our daily incomes can’t keep up with the rising food prices, making it hard to afford basic necessities.
