Yuletide: Abia, Imo residents groan as prices of food items soar

With only two days to the Christmas celebration, the cost of food items in Abia and Imo states has surged, leaving many residents struggling to afford basic necessities.

A market survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia revealed that the prices of staple foods such as rice, chicken, vegetable oil, onions, and tomatoes have skyrocketed, making them increasingly inaccessible to the average family.

At Umuahia’s Isi-Gate Market, a 50kg bag of local rice, popularly known as “foreign local,” now costs between N75,000 and N106,000, depending on the grade. Imported rice is priced at N120,000. Vegetable oil prices have also risen steeply, with a 25-litre container now selling for N95,000, while 10 litres and five litres cost N45,000 and N19,500, respectively. A litre of the product goes for N3,700.

The situation is equally dire for onions. At the Ubani-Ibeku Ultramodern Market, a bag of onions, which previously sold for between N240,000 and N250,000, now costs N300,000.

Buyers lamented that even small quantities are unaffordable, with the smallest bulb priced at N300. Mrs Priscilla Chukwu, a resident, said: “Many homes might prepare their Christmas stew without onions. It’s a sad reality.”

Tomato prices have followed a similar trend. A basket of fresh tomatoes now costs N80,000, compared to N50,000 or N60,000 weeks earlier.

A carton of sachet tomatoes, depending on the brand, is now priced between N6,000 and N7,500, up from N4,000 to N5,500. Fresh pepper, which used to cost N50,000 per basket, now sells for N70,000 to N75,000.

A tomato seller, Mrs Nneka Iroegbu, attributed the price hike to high demand during the festive season, coupled with elevated transportation costs due to the rise in fuel prices.

“Insecurity is another major issue. Farmers are afraid to go to their farms,” she added.

The cost of chicken has also soared. At the Railway Station Market in Umuahia, a broiler that sold for N10,000 weeks ago now costs N15,000. Chicken sellers like Mrs Roseline Alozie predict that prices may rise further, reaching N20,000 to N22,000 before Christmas due to increased demand and the high cost of feed.

The situation is no better in Imo State, where the cost of palm oil, vegetable oil, and other staples has spiked. A litre of vegetable oil now sells for N4,000, up from N2,500, while red palm oil has risen from N1,500 to N2,500 per litre. Yam prices have also increased, with a medium tuber now selling for between N3,000 and N4,000, up from N2,500.

Similarly, protein sources have become more expensive. A nine-week-old broiler now costs N22,000, compared to N15,000 previously, while a mature male goat now sells for between N40,000 and N45,000, up from N30,000.

Market traders blamed the inflation on unstable petrol prices, high transportation costs, and seasonal demand. Economist Willy Obinna called for the reintroduction of commodity markets to stabilise prices.

Residents and traders alike urged the government to implement measures to address rising costs and economic challenges.