Lagos residents express alarm over soaring bean prices, with costs quadrupling since January. Key staple beans now strain household budgets, raising malnutrition fears. Farmers cite low harvests and cattle foraging as causes. Traders warn of potential shortages, prompting calls for government intervention to stabilize the market and ensure food security.
In the bustling markets of Lagos, the soaring price of beans, a crucial staple and primary source of protein for many, has become a growing concern among residents. Once a dependable and affordable food item, beans have reached prices that are straining household budgets and raising fears of malnutrition, particularly among children.
According to interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, a 40kg bag of beans that cost N26,000 in January now sells for an astonishing N115,000. Similarly, a 100kg bag that was N55,000 at the beginning of the year now costs N230,000. This dramatic increase has made beans unaffordable for many families.
Most Nigerians express their anxiety over the situation. "Beans used to be the cheapest food; now, we do not even understand what is happening. The price keeps increasing every other week; even traders cannot tell us the reason for the hike," they said.
A beans farmer from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, provided some insight into the cause of the price hike. He explained that beans are not an all-season crop, with peak harvest times usually at the end of the year. Last year's harvest was meager due to cattle foraging on bean farms, leading to scarcity and high prices this year.
Ahmed Yusuf, a beans trader at the Dry Foodstuff Section of Ile-Epo Market in Agege, highlighted the instability in the market. "Last two weeks, we sold a small bucket of beans for N6,500, but now the same quantity sells for N8,000. We are not even sure if we will have beans to sell by this time next month because the produce is unavailable," he said.
As residents grapple with these escalating prices, calls for government intervention grow louder. The situation underscores the broader economic challenges faced by Lagosians and raises important questions about food security and the need for effective agricultural policies.
