Transportation Cost, Flood, Raise Onion Price By 200%

News in Brief:

— Onion prices in Nigeria have surged by more than 200% since May, with a bag now selling for up to ₦250,000,

— Traders attribute the surge to flooding, planting-season shortages and rising transport costs.

The price of onions in food markets in NIgeria has jumped by more than 200 per cent in just four months, as rising transportation costs, flooding in producing states and seasonal shortages combine to push the everyday kitchen staple out of reach for many households.

According to reports from DailyTimes and BusinessDay, a bag of onions now sells for between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000 in Lagos markets, up from ₦50,000 to ₦70,000 that it sold for in May.

Transport Costs, Flooding Squeeze Profit Margins

At Cole Street Market in Oyingbo, wholesaler Musa Muhammed explained that the cost of moving onions from northern producing states to Lagos mostly caused the increase. He said cargo charges for a single bag have climbed to about ₦30,000, on top of the cost of moving the produce further into the city.

"We sold a paint bucket of onions at ₦3,000 in May, but now the same quantity sells for ₦10,000," Muhammed said.

The price of fuel, which is the main determinant of transportation cost, has also increased by over 20 per cent in the last month, rising from about ₦1,165 in early August to about N1,400 per litre by September 12.

Muhammed further linked the shortage to the planting season in Sokoto and other northern states, as well as flooding that damaged onion farms in key producing areas, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Adamawa. 

BusinessDay reported that the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) corroborated the flooding issue. Although reports on the extent of this season's flooding in some states have varied, traders in Lagos maintain it has affected supply reaching the south.

Another trader, Malam Usman, said he was still selling older stock because freshly harvested onions spoil faster, relying on ventilation and sun-drying to preserve what he has.

Consumers Cutting Back

A Lagos resident, Vivian Isoken, blamed the shortage partly on inadequate farming machinery and technology, arguing that more investment in modern equipment would improve production. Agege resident, Beatrice Oladiran, believes that the seasonal pattern was familiar as supplies typically fall during the rainy and planting season, but rising fuel costs have made this year's squeeze worse.

"Not everybody has the funds to buy onions again," she said, noting that a small bag which cost ₦17,000 to ₦20,000 in March now sells for ₦60,000 to ₦70,000.

Ajegunle resident Mary Udonwa said she has cut back on her onion consumption and will only return to normal once prices settle.

Abuja Markets Tell The Same Story

In the FCT, vegetable seller Hussaini Garba at Madallah Market said a bag that sold for about ₦50,000 weeks ago now costs ₦120,000 to ₦130,000, blaming poor production last season and rising transport costs. At Suleja Market, trader Sabi'u Ahmed pointed to reduced supply and crop disease, saying a large basket has risen from ₦27,000–₦30,000 to ₦70,000–₦75,000. Dei-Dei Market trader Chika Ogar said higher fuel costs have pushed a small basket from ₦5,000–₦6,000 to ₦8,000–₦9,500.

Residents Mirabel Augustine and Sadiya Usman said they have both reduced their onion purchases, adding to pressure already created by rising prices of other food items.

Consumers in both cities are calling on the government to tackle high petrol prices and their knock-on effect on transportation, while urging greater support for farmers and better storage infrastructure to prevent recurring shortages.