Nigeria’s food inflation continues to surge as farmers increasingly focus on selling their produce in urban centres where they can earn higher profits, leaving rural communities struggling with scarcity and rapidly rising prices.
Recent market data shows that food items such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, yam, and grains cost significantly more in rural areas than in previous months. Analysts say this unusual trend is driven by farmers shifting their supply toward major cities to maximise earnings, intensifying competition and pushing up prices nationwide.
Experts warn that the country’s fragile food system is being pushed to the brink, as the imbalance between rural and urban supply chains worsens. Many rural households now spend a large portion of their income on basic food items that were once affordable within their own communities.
Agricultural economists attribute the crisis to insecurity on farmlands, high transportation costs, poor rural storage facilities, and rising input prices—all of which make city markets more attractive for farmers seeking better returns.
The situation has sparked concerns among policymakers who fear that continued inflation could deepen food insecurity, especially among low-income families. The federal government is expected to announce new interventions to stabilise food prices, support farmers, and improve the rural food distribution network.
As Nigeria battles persistent inflation, many citizens are calling for urgent reforms to strengthen local agriculture, secure farmlands, and ensure fair access to food across both rural and urban areas.
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