Flooding: Prices of food items sky rocket in Kaduna markets

Prices of food items have increased beyond the expectations of residents following predictions by the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamali that hunger may surface in the north due to excessive floods this year.

The increase in prices of food in Sabon Tasha, Kawo and Central markets in Kaduna, it was reported that due to the disruption in the supply chain occasioned by recent floods across Nigeria

Rhoda Moses, who sells dried cassava, beans, yam, and sweet potatoes at the central market in Kaduna said for five weeks now, she has not been able to receive supplies from farmers in Kogi, Delta, Ogun or Anambra due to the flooding.

“Most of my suppliers come from different states; Lokoja, Delta, Anambra, River, etc, but since flooding took over some states, I learnt their farm could no longer be assessed. Even those who want to sell, can not enter Kaduna, because flood took over Kogi road.”

Musa Arungo another trader in Kawo market on Sunday told  newsmen that apart from foodstuff, there would be a scarcity of meat, onion and pepper, because these essential commodities did not yield produce this year, due to flooding in the northern part of the country.

” I load trailers of pepper, onion, from Gombe to Kaduna, and sometimes, to other states. But this year, the reports I am getting now is that no single pepper in the farm this year.” He said

Jonathan Musa who claimed to be a full-time farmer from Kagarko Local government area of Kaduna State said the excessive rain made him lose all his farm produce.

” I am a farmer, who cultivates yam, maize, plantain, and cassava in large quantities and supply to Kaduna main town. Many farmers in my area were forced out of business, due to excessive rain.” He said.

Mrs. Grace Adama who buys wholesale and sells in retail said prices of foodstuff increase daily. She said a bag of rice she bought on October 20 for 35,000 Naira, was sold for 37,000 Naira the following day.

According to her, as the wholesale price increases, so also traders will increase the retail prices of those food items.