Prices of Foodstuffs to Rise in December Amidst High Transport Cost

By Calista Oyeoba / Posted December 3, 2024

Nigerians are bracing themselves for skyrocketing food prices in December, courtesy of a warning from foodstuff transporters under the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN).

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The transporters said they are feeling the pinch of rising costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, not to mention the daily extortion and double taxation on federal highways. These expenses are taking a toll on their operations, and unfortunately, the costs will be passed on to consumers.

To give you an idea of just how expensive transportation has become, the National President of AUFCDN, Mohammed Tahir, revealed that transporting a trailer load of rice, beans, corn, and other commodities from Sokoto to Port Harcourt costs a whopping N2.25 million. This cost, combined with double taxation, extortion, and harassment by security agencies and local government revenue collectors, is taking a severe toll on foodstuff transporters.

Tahir noted that regions like the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West are particularly challenging, with reports of drivers and motor-boys being harassed and even beaten. He expressed frustration that the government has not engaged with foodstuff transporters to address these issues, despite their vital role in feeding the nation.

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He stated that the situation is so serious that many members of the union have stopped transporting foodstuff due to the high cost of doing business. Tahir warned that the cost of food will increase as the Christmas season approaches, worsening the hardship Nigerians are already facing.