Abuja Yam Sellers Appeal For Help As Inflation Crisis Drives Prices Up And Sales Down

Yam sellers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are urging the federal government to address the sharp increase in yam prices as they face plummeting sales. The sellers reported that the price for five tubers of yam now ranges from N15,000 to N30,000, depending on size.

In separate interviews in Abuja, the sellers expressed their concerns over the impact of rising yam prices on their livelihoods. They attributed the price hikes to a combination of factors including insecurity, high transportation costs, and the escalating costs of fertilizers and pesticides.

**Blessing Timothy**, a yam seller at Masaka market, appealed to both federal and state governments to regulate food prices and provide farmers with modern agricultural inputs and timely fertilizer distribution. “The continuous rise in yam prices is affecting not only our sales but also the overall well-being of Nigerians,” Timothy said.

**Hannah Duke**, another seller in Mararaba, noted that her business is suffering as the high prices are driving customers away. She explained that the cost of production has increased due to insecurity and additional expenses such as paying for protection and transportation. Duke lamented, “The yam business is no longer profitable. Sometimes we are forced to sell small slices of yam between N1,000 and N2,000.”

**Josephine Ejeh** from Mararaba shared her frustration, highlighting the dramatic price surge. “Last year, we sold a bundle of yams for N3,000, but now the same bundle costs between N15,000 and N30,000. The dramatic price increase has led to a significant drop in patronage,” Ejeh said. She emphasized the struggle to sell her stock, noting that her inventory of 100 pieces has been unsold for weeks.

**Rose Musa** also called for government intervention, stating that the high cost of living is making it difficult for sellers to sustain their businesses. “We are often forced to reduce prices just to make sales, but this often results in no profit. We are struggling to make ends meet and need immediate government support,” Musa said.

In response to the escalating prices, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has announced plans to address indiscriminate price hikes by trade associations involved in basic food items.