On Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria conducted a study which revealed that the price of corn in Enugu has increased by fifty percent.
The sharp spike in the cost of both boiled and roasted corn has put the staple out of reach for many families and corn enthusiast in the state.
This seasonal influx is anticipated to first result in a brief boost in supply, followed by a subsequent drop in prices, even if the study suggested that prices may decline in a few months when most corn farmers start harvesting.
Speaking to NAN, a number of farmers and vendors blamed the price increase on climate change-related drought. The high cost of hiring labourers and the rising prices of other market commodities were also mentioned as contributing factors by those who are now harvesting their crops.
A corn seller, Miss Amarachi Eze, explained that seven pieces of corn she purchased for N1,000 in 2024 are now sold for N2,000, with each piece retailing between N400 and N500, depending on size.
“If you sell all seven at N500, you make N1,500 profit, but if you sell at N400, the profit is N800. This is because I buy directly from the farmers.
“Out of this profit, you pay for transport, charcoal, and paper to serve customers. The cheapest bag of charcoal is now N500. When you add other expenses, it all contributes to the price increase,” she explained.
Another seller, who identified herself as Mama Ejima, noted, “The corn is just coming into season, as many farmers have not started harvesting, so prices will soon drop.
“I bought a small bag containing about 80 pieces for N25,500, which sold for N13,000 last year.”
She added that she had no corn selling for N200, with prices now ranging from N300 to N500. “At this time last year, corn was everywhere,” she said.
Mr. John Oroke, a farmer, attributed the rise to climate change-related delays in rainfall, highlighting the potential harm that fertiliser applied in the absence of enough rainfall can do to crops.
He pointed out that corn needs consistent rainfall to produce a good yield, but Enugu’s current rainfall pattern is insufficient for corn farming.
Another farmer, Mr Emmanuel Okafor, highlighted the high cost of hiring farm labourers. He also lamented that extreme heat and erratic rainfall had damaged his crops, and that part of his farm was destroyed by herders and their cattle.
“I am calling on the government to assist Enugu farmers with irrigation for year-round corn farming and to address the issue of conflicts between farmers and herders,” he appealed.
Mrs. Ogechukwu Nweke, a customer, complained about the skyrocketing prices of commodities, such as corn.
“But what can we do? We have to buy it. I am appealing to the government to support farmers to increase their yield,” she said.
(NAN)
