Onion Farmers Warn Of Commodity Price Hike Ahead Of Christmas, New Year Festivities

The Kaduna State chapter of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has projected a slight rise in onion prices during the Christmas and New Year periods due to increased demand.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, the association’s Secretary in Kaduna State, Mr Amir Adamu, explained that growing consumption ahead of the festivities, combined with delays in harvesting in some producing areas, was putting upward pressure on prices.

According to him, onion prices differ across states. “The price of onions varies from state to state. Here in Kaduna, old onions that were produced and harvested around July and August this year sell for about ₦50,000 to ₦60,000 per bag.

“However, fresh onions being harvested and produced from Sokoto sell for about ₦80,000 to ₦100,000 per bag.

“This is because of the high demand for the Sokoto variety of onion and its current availability,” Adamu said.

He added that prices could rise further, noting that harvests in some states have not yet commenced.

“It is expensive up north because demand is currently high. The price of onions will gradually drop from January next year, when onions from Kebbi State are ready for harvest.

“The possibility of a price drop is very negligible.

“Before now, a bag of old onions sold for between ₦30,000 and ₦40,000 up north, but it is quite expensive this year due to the high demand.

“As the Christmas celebration approaches, the price may further increase due to rising demand for the produce.

“We can only expect some respite in onion prices from early January to March 2026,” he said.

NAN reports that the current market price of a bag of onions ranges from ₦100,000 to ₦130,000, compared with between ₦70,000 and ₦100,000 recorded a few months ago.