The price of garri, a popular fast and staple food in Nigeria, has goes up by 108 % within just three months, reaching a record high as cassava production shrinks nationwide
Investigation in major markets of the Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, revealed that the average price of a 50kg bag of yellow garri surged by 108% from an average of N18,000 in December 2023 to N37,500 in March 2024.
In addition, a 4-litre paint container measure of yellow garri is now selling at an average of N2,500 as against N1,200 sold in December 2023, while a 50kg bag of white garri is being sold at N35,000 as against N17,000 obtainable in December 2023, indicating 105% increase in price.
Data obtained from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Nigeria is the world’s largest producer and consumer of cassava and was projected to churn out 60.8 million metric tonnes of cassava in 2022.
According to the source, the production of tubers in 2023, as affirmed by a farmers, was hampered by the effect of unfavorable climate change, worsening insecurity and the uncertainty around last year’s elections.
Segun Adewumi, National President of Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), while reacting to the development, said a lot of farmers were discouraged from cultivating the tubers last year owing to uncertainty surrounding the 2023 elections.
Adewumi said:.”The uncertainty and potential disruption during the change in government discouraged farmers from cultivating cassava as extensively as usual. This is what led to the production shortfall”.
Before now, it is mostly believe that garri is a ‘poor man’s food’ in Nigeria but with the recent hike in the cost of the commodity, like other food items, many Nigerians are now finding it difficult to afford it.
It was gathered from National Bureau of Statistics that, food inflation increased to 35.42% in January 2024.
