Onion Prices Soar in Nigerian Markets Ahead of Yuletide Festivities

The price of onions has surged dramatically in Nigerian markets as the festive season approaches, with a small-sized bulb now selling for between N200 and N300.

A market survey conducted by Newsflash Nigeria on Tuesday in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, revealed significant price hikes at the Dutse and Kubwa village markets.

The survey showed that the price of a small-sized onion increased by 200 percent to N300 on December 17, 2024, compared to N100 in November. Similarly, the cost of big-sized onions rose to N500 from N300.

A dustbin basket of onions, which previously sold for between N170,000 and N192,000, now costs N250,000, according to Abdullahi Yakubu, a seller at Dutse First Gate Market. Yakubu explained that such price surges are typical ahead of the festive period, although this year’s increase is unusually steep.

“It’s not unusual, but this time, the hike is much higher. Last month, we bought a bag of onions for between N170,000 and N192,000. Now, it’s over N250,000,” Yakubu said.

Consumers have expressed frustration over the rising prices. Deborah Okoli, a resident, lamented that onions are becoming unaffordable for many Nigerians.

“You can imagine, a small onion that used to cost N50 or N100 is now N300. This is ridiculous,” she said.

The price hike comes as Nigeria’s headline and food inflation rates rose to 34.60 percent and 39.93 percent in November, up from 33.08 percent and 39.19 percent, respectively.

Experts have urged the Federal Government to intervene in critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and energy to curb inflation and stabilize food prices.

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