Traders and consumers in Lagos have lamented the sharp rise in ginger prices, attributing the development to insecurity in major producing communities, dwindling supplies, and rising transportation costs.
The respondents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, said the situation has made the popular spice increasingly unaffordable for many households.
Ginger is widely used in Nigerian homes for cooking, beverages, and traditional remedies because of its distinctive flavour and perceived health benefits. The spice is produced mainly in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States before being transported to markets across the country.
However, traders said supplies reaching Lagos markets have declined significantly in recent months, resulting in steep price increases.
The Public Relations Officer of Oyingbo Market, Mr Ademola Oduyemi, said insecurity in some farming communities had disrupted cultivation and harvesting activities. According to him, information from suppliers indicates that many farmers can no longer access their farms because of security concerns.
“Some farmers are unable to harvest their crops, while others are reluctant to plant. This has reduced the volume of ginger coming into the market and contributed to the scarcity we are witnessing,” he said.
Oduyemi said the shortage has pushed prices to unprecedented levels.
“A paint bucket of ginger now sells for between N40,000 and N46,000, depending on size and quality. Half a paint bucket costs between N22,500 and N23,000, while a derica measurement sells for about N12,000. Many retail buyers who cannot afford larger quantities now purchase individual pieces, which sell for about N500 each,” he said.
He added that rising transport costs and growing demand have compounded the supply challenge. “If farmers can safely return to their farms and production improves, supply will increase and prices may stabilise,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Florence Akinfolubi, a ginger trader at Oyingbo Market, said reduced supplies from producing states had continued to affect availability.
“We receive far less ginger than before. Whenever supply drops, prices inevitably rise. Transportation costs have also increased considerably. Moving produce from the North to Lagos is more expensive, and that reflects in market prices,” she said.
Another trader, Mr Abdullahi Musa, said growing consumer demand was exerting additional pressure on available supplies. “More people now buy ginger regularly because of its health benefits. Demand keeps increasing, but supply is not keeping pace, and that is driving prices higher,” he said.
Consumers also expressed concern over the persistent increase. Mrs Janet Madueke described the situation as frustrating.
“A tiny piece of ginger now sells for about N1,000 in the market near my residence in Surulere. The price is outrageous, and despite the cost, the quality does not appear to be as good as before,” she said.
Similarly, another consumer, Mrs Funmilayo Ogunleye, said the rising cost of ginger was stretching household budgets. “I use ginger regularly for cooking and preparing drinks. The price has almost doubled compared with what I paid earlier this year, so I now buy less and use it more sparingly,” she said.
Some residents warned that continued increases in the prices of food items and spices could further worsen the cost-of-living challenges facing many households. They urged government authorities to strengthen security in farming communities, improve agricultural production, address transportation bottlenecks, and enhance food distribution systems to stabilise prices.
