‘E No Easy! Soaring Food Costs Leave Nigerian Families Desperate And Hungry

In Mararaba, a bustling suburb of Abuja, meat sellers are feeling the pinch of skyrocketing livestock costs. Amaechi, a local trader, shared his frustrations: “People are buying less goat meat. This trend started even before last Christmas.”

A visit to the popular Orange Market along the Abuja-Keffi Road revealed similar concerns. Shoppers are now opting for smaller quantities and cheaper protein alternatives like fish and eggs instead of pricier beef and goat meat. At the Abattoir, where livestock is processed, butchers report struggling to sell even half their usual stock. Audu, a butcher, lamented, “A goat lap that used to cost N4,500 now goes for N9,000. Sales have dropped significantly, and customers are complaining.”

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently released its ‘Selected Food Price Watch December 2024’ report, revealing that average food prices rose from N2,862.14 in November 2024 to N2,920.13 in December 2024. This marks a staggering 91.6% year-on-year increase from December 2023, when average food prices were N1,524.63. The survey covered about 40 food items, including beans, beef, bread, catfish, frozen chicken, garri, groundnut oil, and rice.

It’s not just households bearing the brunt—restaurants and food vendors are also struggling. At Anambra Kitchen in Ado, the owner reported dwindling customer numbers. “Many of my regulars have stopped coming. I’ve had to reduce portion sizes just to stay afloat,” she said.

To cope, some vendors are diversifying into side businesses like POS services. One vendor remarked, “E no easy, my brother,” echoing the sentiment of many in the food industry.

Customers are also adapting. John, a regular diner, shared, “Many of us now follow the ‘0-1-0’ or ‘1-0-0’ routine—eating just one meal a day. These days, only government officials can afford to eat twice or thrice daily.”