Garri, which is a staple food in Nigeria, has recently hit record-breaking prices in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.
Garri, which used to be one of the most affordable commodities for Nigerian households, is now being sold at an astonishing rate of N1,100 per measure and N72,000 per 100kg bag.
Many people who were interviewed by Daily Trust at local markets expressed their shock at the staggering increase, noting that garri prices have soared to levels unseen in decades.
Sellers at the Katako market pointed to several factors driving the unprecedented hike.
Hassan Maigari, who has been selling garri for over three decades, explained that the surge is due to a rise in demand as people turn to garri as a more affordable alternative to other pricier food items.
Maigari recounted selling a 100kg bag for N72,000, a price he had never encountered before. Abdullahi Ibrahim, another garri vendor, highlighted the role of upstream suppliers in exacerbating the price surge.
He explained that delays in processing by suppliers lead to artificial shortages, which in turn drive up demand and prices.
Despite calls for price reductions in line with other commodities, Ibrahim stressed the challenges faced by sellers.
