Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expressing deep concern over the soaring prices of Garri, which is making this staple food increasingly inaccessible to the average Nigerian.
According to the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Food Price Report, the average price of 1kg of white garri has surged by a staggering 112.34 per cent year-on-year, escalating from N353.16 in March 2023 to N749.89 in March 2024.
On a monthly basis, the increase remains substantial, with 1kg of white garri rising by 3.66 per cent from N723.45 in February 2024 to N749.89 in March 2024.
Garri, a popular staple food derived from cassava roots, comes in two varieties: white and yellow. It is a fundamental part of Nigerian cuisine, often consumed as “Eba” when cooked with hot water and paired with various soups or stews. Alternatively, it can be soaked in water and enjoyed with groundnut, sugar, or milk.
Market observations reveal significant price hikes. Across various markets like Garki, Gwagwalada, and Abattoir in Kubuwa, a mudu (a local measure) of both white and yellow garri is being sold for between N1,100 to N1,500. Moreover, a bag of garri commands a price range of N70,000 to N90,000.
For instance, at Garki Market, a mudu of white garri fetches N1,200, while the yellow variety goes for between N1,300 to N1,400. At Gwagwalada Market, a mudu of white garri is priced at N1,000, and a bag sells for between N52,000 to N53,000. Meanwhile, at Abattoir Market in Kubuwa, a bag of garri is priced at N80,000.
Egunor Odafe, a civil servant, voiced the sentiments of many when he highlighted the burden of these escalating food costs, stating that staples like garri have become excessively costly and beyond the means of ordinary Nigerians.
“The price of garri, just like any other food item, has gone up. I bought a mudu of yellow garri on Saturday for N1,200 in Gudu market. I still remember when garri was N500 for a mudu sometime last year.
“All our staple foods have become so expensive and many people can no longer afford to buy them. If as a civil servant, I am complaining, I don’t know what the security man or labourer will do?” she said.
Mrs Zainab Gambo, a housewife, said garri had become too expensive to buy thereby, making it difficult for people to buy.
“Garri, beans, bread, and even grains keep increasing every day. These are food items Nigerians usually eat every day but many people are finding it more difficult to buy them.
“This government needs to address the issue of increasing food prices. It has never been this bad. If people can’t afford garri then you know the food situation has become critical, as we can see there is hunger in the land.”
Garri is the least food available to the common man and if we can no longer afford it then we are looking for trouble in this country.
“If a man can not get common garri to drink anymore, maybe because he has no job, he may go and steal eventually,” he said.
Mr Taiwo Hassan, a driver said: “garri is not poor man food anymore. Ijebu garri is now N1,500 for a mudu. So I don’t soak garri like before.”
Theresa John, a food seller, explained that she was compelled to raise the price of a wrap of Eba in order to generate a modest profit.
“The price of Garri has increased. I bought one mudu of yellow garri at Garki market on Saturday for N1, 400, last week it was N1,200.
“I had to increase the quantity and price of my Eba. I was selling one wrap of Eba for N200, now I am selling it for N500 to gain a little something.
“Customers are complaining but they know how the country is. Every day you go to the market the prices of food items have increased,” she said.
Peter Irechukwu, a trader in Garki market, said the price of garri was increasing and varied depending on where it was processed.
Irechukwu said that garri from Agbor in Delta state was usually more expensive than its Benue variant.
“Last month, we bought a bag of yellow and white garri for between N50,000 to N55,000.
“Presently, a bag of yellow garri is selling for between N50,000 to N70,000 depending on where it was processed, while a bag of white garri is selling for N50,000.
“ Customers are going for alternatives to meet what their money can afford.
“Many of them are no longer requesting for Agbor garri, they go with the one from Benue while others are buying corn flour as a substitute for garri,” he said.
