In the wake of the nationwide hunger protest, prices of food items have surged in Kaduna State. Staple foods such as rice, beans, yam, garri, noodles, and other essentials have skyrocketed for the fourth time in 2024.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
Cooking gas prices have also seen an increase, rising from N1,100 to N1,120 in July to N1,400 at some gas stations within the state.
Reports from Sheikh Abubakar Gumi market and Kaduna’s central market show that a 50kg bag of rice, previously sold at N79,000, is now being sold between N86,000 and N90,000.
A week ago, yams were priced at N5,000 per tuber, but now they are being sold for N7,000, with five tubers costing N28,000.
The cost of eight cups of beans has risen from N2,000-N2,500 to N3,500. A cup of garri, previously sold for N1,300, is now priced between N1,400 and N1,500.
A carton of Indomie noodles, once sold at N7,500, has increased to N7,700. Additionally, a basket of Irish potatoes, formerly selling between N5,000 and N5,500, now goes for N6,000 per basket.
Traders attribute the price increases to rising costs at depots and other wholesale locations.
Residents have expressed concern over the steep rise in food prices, noting that prices have surged by about 50%, exacerbating their living conditions.
One resident, Mrs. Amina Idris, lamented, “After the hunger protests, the costs of food items have increased in the markets. This is because what we used to buy with N5,000 or N10,000 is now what we spend over N15,000 to buy today.”
Artisan Namoh Stephen added, “Most of us depend on our daily incomes, and we find it difficult to buy foodstuffs that can last for even two days. The Naira has no much purchasing power, with the increase in the prices of food items, what N1,000 will buy is nothing compared to when things were not as bad as now,” he said.
