Food prices drop in Taraba as farmers harvest crops

As more farmers harvest their crops, the prices of some key food items and vegetables have dropped in Taraba State, Weekend Trust survey revealed.

Some of the crops whose prices dropped include; newly harvested maize which came down from N60,000 to N40,000 per 100kg bag depending on the location.

It was learnt that in areas like Dakka, Gazabu, Maihula Suntai, all in Bali Local Government Area, the price could be lower.

A measure (mudu) of newly harvested maize which sold for N1,700, a few weeks ago has come down to between N1,000 and N1150, our findings revealed.

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Similarly, the price of yam also came down as four medium-seized tubers which cost N10,000 a few weeks ago is now sold between N5,000 and N6,000.

A 100kg bag of newly harvested groundnut which was N60,000 last month has dropped to N35,000 while a measure sold for N1,700 a few weeks ago has dropped to N900.

A 100kg bag of dried cassava which cost N55,000 has dropped to N35,000 while a measure of cassava flour which was N1,400 now costs N800.

Further findings revealed that prices of both Irish and sweet potatoes have come down by about 25 per cent.

Similarly, prices of onions, tomatoes and peppers also came down by about 40 per cent.

However, the price of locally processed rice has not come down. A 100kg bag of rice is still N167,000 while a measure of rice is sold for N3,200 to N3,600.

The price of white beans has also come down from N5,400 per measure to N4,000 while a 100kg bag which sold for N180,000 now costs N156,000.

Residents interviewed expressed delight over the drop in the prices of foodstuffs across the state.

A retired civil servant, Ibrahim Ali, said residents are getting a little bit of relief, but added that the pensions and salaries are not enough to feed most families.

“As a retired civil servant, my monthly pension is N32,000 and that amount is not enough to feed my family for one week,” he said.

Adamu, a trader at Jalingo market told Weekend Trust that foodstuff is cheaper in rural markets but the cost of transportation leads to increase in prices when the items are transported to Jalingo.

“From Monkin Yam market, it costs a trader over N70,000 to transport a pickup load of Yam to Jalingo and this is calculated alongside the multiple taxes at checkpoints along the road, and the consumer is the one to pay,” he said.