Consumers in Jos welcome massive drop in rice prices ahead of festive season
Story by Martha GWARY
As the yuletide draws near, shoppers in Jos are watching two stories unfold at once — a modest easing in some staple-grain prices, but persistent rising costs of proteins, oils and perishables which are squeezing household budgets.
Across markets in Plateau State, the prices of goods are drastically reducing due to some adjustments in transport costs, fuel prices and higher demands at the retail level.
In Jos, a recent market survey showed that the prices of staple grains such as rice and beans, which spiked in 2023–2024, have in many markets come down and are becoming affordable to low-income households.
For grains (rice, maize, beans), the price relief cannot be compared with what was obtained in previous years. High costs were previously driven by seasonal harvests and greater import flows.
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This year’s reduced prices are not uniform — wholesale and retail spreads remain wide and local availability varies by market stall. A bag of Nigerian rice is now between N65,000 and N69,000, while maize is between N30,000 and N35,000.
Cooking oil and processed goods remain relatively expensive, pressured by forex and import costs that affect retail margins.
The price of a basket of tomatoes sells between N18,000 and N23,000 as against N12,000 in November.
A bag of pepper goes for N29,000-N32,000
While a bag of onions costs N60,000-N70,000.
The costs of proteins (chicken, beef, fish) and fresh vegetables are firming or rising in many Jos markets, driven by higher local demand during the festive season, transport costs and, at times, constrained local supply.
Chicken costs between N18,000 and N25,000,
Beef ranges from N6000-N6500 per kilogram, and fish costs between N6500-N7,500.
Buyers and sellers are viewing the situation with mixed reactions.
“Last Christmas, I bought a bag of rice at almost ₦90,000. This year it’s slightly lower, but other things like oil and chicken have gone up sharply. The budget is still tight,” says Grace Pam, a shopper at Terminus Market.
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“We are not trying to exploit customers. Transport to bring goods into Jos is high, and demand is rising every day. Some items have dropped, but others keep climbing,” revealed Ibrahim Shagaya, a trader at Bukuru Market.
“People are buying in smaller quantities now. Instead of a bag, they buy a few cups. Everyone is trying to manage ahead of Christmas,” added Martha Danjuma, a retailer of grains at Farin Gada.
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