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  • Food prices continue to rise in Nigeria

    Food prices continue to rise in Nigeria

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that prices of selected food items increased in October.

    This is according to the NBS Selected Food Prices Watch Report for October, released in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The report said that the average price of 1kg onion bulb on a year-on-year basis, increased by 32.56 per cent from N306.07 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N405.72 in Oct. 2022.

    “While on a month-on-month basis, 1 kg of onion bulb increased to N405.72 in Oct. 2022 from N397.18 recorded in Sept. 2022, indicating a 2.15 per cent increase,’’ the report said.

    The report showed that the average price of 1kg rice (local, sold loose) increased on a year-on-year basis by 17.45 per cent from N415.03 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N487.47 in Oct. 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item increased by 3.40 per cent in Oct. 2022 from N471.42 recorded in Sept. 2022,’’ the report says.

    The NBS said the average price of 1kg of tomato increased on a year-on-year basis by 30.79 per cent from N347.47 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N454.46 in Oct. 2022.

    Also, the report showed that on a month-on-month basis, 1 kg of tomato increased by 2.10 per cent from N445.12 in Sept. 2022.

    Also, the report showed that the average price of 1kg brown beans (sold loose) increased by 17.95 per cent on a year-on-year basis, from N478.76 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N564.69 in Oct. 2022.

    The report showed that the average price of Palm oil (1 bottle) increased by 33.22 per cent from N727.21 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N968.76 in Oct. 2022.

    “It also grew by 4.47 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N927.34 recorded in Sept. 2022,’’ the report said.

    Also, the average price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle) stood at N1, 106.08 in Oct. 2022, indicating a 33.99 per cent increase from N825.46 recorded in Oct. 2021.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 2.81 per cent from N1, 075.89 in Sept. 2022,’’ the report said.

    The report revealed that the average price of 500g sliced bread increased by 36.68 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N382.77 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N523.16 in Oct. 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the item increased by 2.23 per cent from N511.74 recorded in Sept. 2022,’’ says the report.

    The report showed that at the state level, the highest average price of rice (local, sold loose) was recorded in Rivers at N630.66, while the lowest price was recorded in Jigawa at N381.54.

    It said Ebonyi recorded the highest average price of beans (brown, sold loose) at N848.74, while the lowest price was reported in Plateau at N360.03.

    “In addition, Abia recorded the highest price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle) at N1, 484.31, while Benue recorded the lowest price at N650.89,’’ the report said.

    It said that Cross River recorded the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb at N980.62 while Benue recorded the lowest price at N180.34.

    The report also showed that the highest average price for 1kg of tomato was recorded in Delta at N824.55 while the lowest price was at N166.67 in Taraba.

    It said the highest average price of 500g sliced bread was recorded in Abuja at N705.00 while Plateau recorded the lowest price at N310.00.

    The report said analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg onion bulb was higher in the South-South and South-East at N670.63 and N538.31, respectively, while the lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N212.83.

    It said the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg rice (local, sold loose) at N545.03, followed by the South-West with N519.53, while the lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N435.06.

    Also, the report showed that the South-East recorded the highest average price of Palm oil (1 bottle) at N1, 101.04, followed by the South-West at N1, 096.17, while the North-Central recorded the lowest price at N742.62.

  • How prices of food continue to rise in Nigeria

    How prices of food continue to rise in Nigeria

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that prices of selected food items increased in September.

    This is according to the NBS Selected Food Prices Watch Report for September 2022 released in Abuja on Friday.

    The report said that the average price of 1kg of Tomato on a year-on-year basis, increased by 30.06 per cent, from N342.25 recorded in September 2021 to N445.12 in September 2022.

    “While on a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomato increased to N445.12 in September 2022 from N430.93 recorded in August 2022, indicating a 3.29 per cent increase.”

    The report showed that the average price of 1kg of rice (local, sold loose) increased on a year-on-year basis by 14.98 per cent from N410.01 recorded in September 2021 to N471.42 in September 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item increased by 3.82 per cent in September 2022.”

    The average price of 1kg of beans (brown, sold loose) increased on a year-on-year basis by 13.14 per cent from N492.13 recorded in September 2021 to N556.81 in September 2022.

    Also, the report showed that on a month-on-month basis, 1kg of beans (brown. sold loose) increased by 2.05 per cent from N545.61 in August 2022.

    It said the average price of 1kg of beef (boneless) increased by 24.39 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N1,768.14 recorded in September 2021 to N2,199.37 in September 2022.

    Also, the report showed that the average price of Palm oil (1 bottle) increased by 30.70 per cent from N709.50 in September 2021 to N927.34 in September 2022.

    ” It also grew by 3.42 per cent on a month-on-month basis.”

    The report said the average price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle) stood at N1, 075.89 in September 2022, showing an increase of 32.35 per cent from N812.94 recorded in September 2021.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 2.52 per cent from N1049.49 in August 2022.”

    The report showed that at the state level, the highest average price of rice (local, sold loose) was recorded in Rivers at N621.61, while the lowest price was recorded in Jigawa at N371.

    The report said that Ebonyi recorded the highest average price of beans (brown, sold loose) at N857.02, while the lowest price was reported in Benue at N368.21.

    It said Abia recorded the highest price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle) at N1,464.44, while Benue recorded the lowest price at N643.64.

    It said analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of tomato was higher in the South-South and South-East at N711.32 and N643.25, respectively, while the lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N209.22.

    The report said that South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of rice (local, sold loose) at N519.22, followed by the South-West with N514.37, while the lowest price of was recorded in the North-West at N417.00.

    Also, the report showed that the South-East recorded the highest average price of Beans (brown, sold loose) at N789.74, followed by the South-South at N673.16, while the North-East recorded the least price at N397.04.

  • Food prices continue to increase – NBS

    Food prices continue to increase – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says prices of selected food items increased in May.

    It made the declaration in its Selected Food Prices Watch Report for May released in Abuja on Wednesday.

    It stated that the average price of 1kg of white beans rose on a year-on-year basis by 37.22 per cent from N382.37 in May 2021 to N524.70 in May 2022.

    “Also, on a month-on-month basis, this increased by 1.09 per cent from N519.05 in April to N524.70 in May, it stated.

    The report showed that the average price of 1kg of a yam tuber increased on a year-on-year basis by 37.87 per cent from N269.98 in May 2021 to N372.23 in May 2022.

    It stated that on a month-on-month basis, the average price of yam increased by 3.05 per cent in May 2022, compared to what obtained in April.

    Similarly, the average price of 2kg pre-packed wheat flour rose by 34.92 per cent on a year-on-year basis from the value recorded in May 2021 at N785.87 to N1,060.26 in May 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it increased from N1,047.74 in April to N1,060.26 in May 2022 indicating a 1.20 per cent rise,’’ it stated.

    The report showed that the average price of a bottle of palm oil increased by 42.81 per cent from N593.36 in May 2021 to N847.39 in May 2022.

    It also rose by 0.55 per cent on a month-on-month basis between APRIL and May.

    The report showed that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef rose by 34.11 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N1,513.43 in May 2021 to N 2,029.59 in May 2022.

    It added that the average price of one bottle of groundnut oil stood at N1,040.88 in May 2022, showing an increase of 47.99 per cent compared to N703.36 in May 2021.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 3.29 per cent from N 1,007.68 in April 2022,’’ the NBS stated.

    At the state level, the report showed that Ebonyi recorded the highest average price of white beans at N899.79 for 1kg, while the lowest was reported in Borno at N262.79.

    The NBS stated that the highest average price of 1kg of a yam tuber was recorded in Akwa-Ibom at N804.45, while the lowest was recorded in Bauchi at N134.17.

    The report showed that Abia recorded the highest price of 2kg pre-packaged wheat flour at N1,393, while Yobe recorded the lowest price at N755.03.

    Analysis by zones showed that the Southeast recorded the highest average price of brown beans at N834.93 per kilogramme.

    This was followed by the Southwest at N579.06 per kilogramme, while the Northeast recorded the least with N295.20.

    “Similarly, the Southwest recorded the highest price of average yam tuber at N535.27, followed by the South-South with N450.12, while the lowest was recorded in the Northeast at N141.10.

    The report showed the average price of 2kg pre-packaged wheat flour was higher in the Southeast and the South-West at N1,332.34 and N1,116.38, respectively.

    “The lowest price for pre-packaged wheat flour was recorded in the Northeast at N810.23,’’ the NBS stated.

  • Beans sellers deny using snipers for preservation

    Beans sellers in Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos State have refuted the allegation, that they are using, an insecticide, called sniper, to preserve their commodity with Sniper.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there have been concerns among residents of Lagos over the allegation that beans sellers were using sniper to preserve the commodity.

    The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service has also expressed fear over the use of sniper in the preservation of beans.

    The service noted that the sniper beans issue arose at a time when NAQS was close to achieving the lifting of European Union ban on Nigerian beans.

    The Coordinating Director of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe said, “The substance in question (sniper) is an organophosphate called 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate which is dangerous to health if misapplied as a pesticide.

    Beans traders aired their opinions on the alleged news of sniper when the Multimedia team of NANvisited the market.

    One of the traders, Mr Chigozie Okoye, said his customers had asked questions since the news of sniper as preservative went viral but it had not really affected his sales.

    “People come and ask questions that they are scared of buying beans these days with the news they have heard and different other things.

    “But I do not think it has really affected a lot.

    “It has not really affected a lot.

    “But they buy it in lesser quantities now because everybody is waiting to know what will happen,” Okoye said.

    On his part, Mr Isaac Ifeanyi said some customers are sceptical about purchasing beans but the integrity of the sellers overtime have kept them coming.

    “We have gotten a lot of complaints about the sniper stuff.

    “Actually, it has not really affected sales because we preserve our own (beans) very well.

    “We have our customers and they still come.

    “We do not really have complaints about the news itself.

    “It just borders on integrity; they want to know and be sure that we are not doing the same thing they hear in the news.

    “We just make sure we assure them that everything is ok,’’ Ifeanyi said.

    Another trader, Malam Adamu Bello, also said the allegations were lies, aimed at ruining the traders’ business.

    “One of my customers told me he heard some news on radio about the use of sniper as preservatives in beans but it is not true.

    “This is not true; they spread this news to ruin our trade.

    “The Malams’ pushing wheelbarrow sell at a cheaper rate than those who own shops.

    “Those in the shops sell costlier but those who hawk with wheelbarrows sell lesser.

    “They do it to ruin the hawkers’ sale but I insist the news is not true.

    “I can chew our beans raw without fear because there is nothing inside.

    “It is a lie; such preservatives are not used in our beans.

    “My sales have not dropped despite the news, I still make the same sales,” Bello said.

     

     

  • Beware of ‘sniper-treated beans’, Consumer council warns Nigerians

    Beware of ‘sniper-treated beans’, Consumer council warns Nigerians

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has warned Nigerians on the dangers of not parboiling their beans extensively before consumption.

    The director general, Babatunde Irukera, said the warning became necessary after the agency received information that has already gone viral on reported use of sniper chemical by retailers to preserve beans.

    Mr Irukera’s warning was contained in a statement released to the media on Friday.

    He said consumers must make sufficient enquiries before engaging in new purchases of beans as available information at the weekend revealed retailers have already built a huge stock of commodity.

    Apart from the cooking method and enquiries before purchase, the council said consumers must wash their food items sufficiently before cooking.

    “In any and every case, thoroughly washing food items before consumption or preparation for consumption is a generally accepted method of protecting and promoting safety,” the statement said.

    Also, the statement said the consumer protection agency recently confirmed credible information that retailers, mostly in the open market, were using a pesticide, 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) compound, otherwise marketed and known as “Sniper” to preserve beans, ostensibly to eliminate or protect from weevils.

    “Sniper, by its chemical composition and nature, is potentially injurious when human beings are unduly exposed by inhalation, absorption, direct skin contact or ingestion,” Mr Irukera said.

    “The risk of injury on account of consumption of beans exposed to, or treated with Sniper is also existential, even though, an unintended consequence,” he added.

    He cautioned further on the dangers of using unauthorised chemical to preserve food items.

    Although cooking significantly reduces risk of exposure from pesticides, as most are diminished under extended periods of direct heat in excess of 100 degrees, the DG said the best possible caution is to avoid subjecting food items to pesticides not in accordance with prevailing food safety regulations”.

  • Rice, beans importation into Nigeria reduce by over 90% – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja reiterated federal government’s determination to continually review and strengthen ongoing reforms in the agriculture sector “until Nigeria regains its pride of place as food exporting country.”

    The president said this when he received a delegation of All Progressives Congress, APC, from Kebbi State, led by the state governor, Atiku Bagudu, in the Presidential Villa.

    He added that the country’s rice import bill had dropped significantly, noting, however, that “beyond self-sufficiency, Nigeria must strive to become net exporter of food commodities.

    “We are not doing badly in the agriculture sector: Nigerians and indeed the world, are beginning to appreciate our efforts. We will work harder until we start exporting food.

    “We are happy that rice and beans importation into the country have gone down by over 90 per cent, and everyone can see how productive states like Kebbi turned out to be and states like Lagos, Ogun and Ebonyi are following the example.”

    The president said Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Sokoto states had already reported remarkable turn-around in the agriculture sector, with more youths taking interest in entrepreneurship.

    Mr. Buhari, who disagreed with the astronomical food import bill presented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from the inception of the administration, pointed out that it was later discovered to be “fraudulent practices’’ by some elite to deplete the foreign reserves.

    He said “when I was told that the CBN had no savings after the windfall of selling oil for more than 100 dollars per barrel for many years and production was 2.1 billion barrels per day, I did not believe them.

    “I did not believe them because majority of Nigerians cannot afford imported food; they rely on what is locally grown. It turned out that 50 per cent of the export bills were fraudulent, courtesy of the Nigerian elite.

    “Unfortunately, we will not know all that happened because the elite worked in collusion with institutions in developed countries like insurance firms, shipping companies and other financial outfits, to perpetuate the fraud.”

    On security, President Buhari said the return of farmers to their farm lands in the North East, with glaring results of high yields, was a testimony to the relative peace that had been achieved.

    He assured that more would be done to check the mayhem of suicide attacks.

    The president said his administration would put in more effort to reposition the education and health sectors to compete with other global institutions.

    While introducing the delegation, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, commended government’s policies toward reviving the agriculture sector.

    The Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said “the state government and the APC family was pleased with the performance of the federal government in securing the country, reviving the economy and fighting corruption.”

    Mr. Bagudu and members of the delegation, which included former Governor of the state, Usman Dakingari and other former PDP stalwarts, prayed for the quick recovery of the president’s son, Yusuf.

    Yusuf Buhari was involved in a bike accident earlier this week.

    NAN

     

  • India moves to plant beans, peas, others in Nigeria

    India moves to plant beans, peas, others in Nigeria

    …as both countries move to sign Civil Aviation and Agriculture Agreements

    Mr Jagdeep Kapoor, Head of Chancery, High Commission of India, in Lagos, on Thursday annouced his government’s plans to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant more pulses that would be exported to India.

    Kapoor told the newsmen in Lagos that the initiative would create a source of income for Nigerian farmers, as well as ensure steady flow of the produce to India.

    The Indian Official said that the project would be a priority in India and Nigeria’s 2017 Civil Aviation and Agriculture Cooperation Agreements, which would soon be formalised by both governments.

    “Nigeria and India’s fresh areas of cooperation in 2017 would focus mostly on the signing of the Civil Aviation and Agriculture Agreements, that would soon be formalised by our two governments.

    “And as soon as this agreements are signed, we would swing into action in ensuring their immediate implementation.

    “We believe that the development of Nigeria’s agriculture sector would fast-track Nigeria’s economy into a ‘ fix quick mould’.

    “We believe that the development of Nigeria’s agricuture sector would be a quick way to fix Nigeria’s economy.We are really trying to cooperate with Nigeria in the development of her agriculture sector,’’ he said.

    The Indian official announced his government’s readiness to encourage Nigerian farmers to plant pulses(dal),that would be largely exported to India for industrial and household consumption.

    Kapoor listed such pulses to include dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chickpeas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils, Bambara beans, vetches, lupins and pulses.

    The Head of Chancery said that there was currently a growing demand for pulses in India and that Nigerian soil was rich for planting and production of the leguminous crops.

    Kapoor said that his government would be sending some Indian farmers to Nigeria to support Nigerian farmers in the planting of the crops.

    “We are going to be encouraging Nigerian farmers to plant pulses, that are currently needed in large quantities in India. And India is a ready market for these crops today.

    “We know how much Nigerian soil is really good for the planting of these highly-needed crops in India.

    “We strongly believe that the planting of these crops in Nigeria would make Indians have more supply of pulses, generate income that would encourage more young Nigerians into planting these crops for export,’’ he added.