Across major Lagos markets — from Mile 12 to Daleko and Oke-Arin — the aroma of rice has turned sour for traders.
A 50kg bag that sold for ₦78,000 in August now goes for as low as ₦54,000, marking one of the steepest commodity price drops in years.
Market leader Alhaja Rukayat Sanni told IDNN that many traders are “offloading stock just to recover capital.”
“Consumers are happy, yes. But for us, this is disaster. We stocked up when dollar was ₦1,600, now it’s ₦1,150 — and we can’t sell fast enough before the next consignment lands.”
The Chain Reaction
The rice crash underscores the volatility in Nigeria’s food supply chain. Analysts attribute the price decline to a combination of import waivers, exchange rate correction, and post-harvest oversupply from northern states.
However, traders insist the situation is “unsustainable” because losses have eroded working capital, restricting their ability to restock or maintain warehouse infrastructure.
The Supply Chain Pain
- Price Movement: ₦78,000 → ₦54,000 (−30%)
- Traders’ Loss Margin: Averaging ₦9,000 per bag
- Market Outlook: Price stabilization likely after Q4 festive demand surge
The Paradox of Relief
While the government touts “food price stability” as proof of reform success, the crash reveals a structural weakness — supply boom without financial cushion.
For urban households, cheaper rice means momentary relief; for traders, it’s bankruptcy wrapped in consumer applause.
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.
