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The cost of living in Enugu metropolis has taken a significant hit, as the prices of essential food items like cassava flakes (garri) and rice have soared by more than 50% in recent weeks.
A thorough market scan by the press in Enugu on Thursday revealed a significant spike in food prices, with garri and rice leading the charge with a 50% increase, sending shockwaves through the community.
Investigation reveals that garri prices have surged, with a cup now fetching ₦250, up from ₦150 just last month. Additionally, a five-liter paint bucket now comes with a hefty ₦4,000-₦4,300 price tag.
The price tag for a bag of garri has ballooned to ₦45,000, a significant jump from the ₦30,000 it cost in April, reflecting the market’s sharp fluctuations.
The price of foreign rice at Enugu’s Garki Market has taken a sharp turn upward, with a 50-kg bag now costing ₦95,000 to ₦100,000, depending on the brand, a significant increase from the previous ₦70,000 to ₦75,000 price range.
Rice traders and distributors confirm that the price of a standard 50kg bag of locally produced rice has surged to ₦80,000 to ₦85,000, with brand reputation and quality influencing the final cost.
In an effort to tackle the soaring cost of garri, Mrs. Gladis Ugwu, a seasoned trader at New Market, advocates for a two-pronged approach: securing farmlands to increase production and ending exports to meet local demand.
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Mrs. Ugwu lamented that the export of garri has led to a scarcity of the staple commodity within Nigeria’s borders, exacerbating the shortage and driving up prices.
Unless the government takes immediate action to address the root causes of food insecurity, rice prices will remain prohibitively high, Mr. Arinze Ozor, a market vendor, cautioned.
The sharp increase in food prices has led to a noticeable drop in foot traffic at Mr. Ozor’s store, as budget-conscious consumers become increasingly hesitant to make purchases.
A buyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the high cost of living in the country to subsidy removal from petroleum products.
