November 16, 2025 A new market survey has revealed a significant drop in the prices of major food items across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, offering much-needed relief to residents after months of food inflation. The survey, conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Yola-North and Numan, shows steady declines in the prices of rice, maize, beans, pepper, millet, spaghetti and cooking oil when compared to earlier months. In Maiduguri’s Monday Market, a 50kg bag of rice—sold for between ₦78,000 and ₦82,000 in August and September—now goes for ₦64,000 to ₦65,000. A 100kg bag of maize has fallen from ₦60,000–₦65,000 to ₦40,000–₦45,000, while white beans decreased from ₦105,000 per bag to ₦85,000. One of the most dramatic drops was in the price of fresh pepper, which traded as high as ₦70,000–₦85,000 earlier in the year, but now sells for ₦6,500–₦8,500. Millet prices also declined from ₦65,000 to ₦46,000 per 100kg bag, while sorghum fell to ₦38,000 from earlier prices of ₦50,000–₦55,000. Traders attributed the decline to increased supply from local farmers and improved security access to farmlands around Zabarmari, Muna, Konduga, Jere and Mafa. “Prices came down because supply increased,” grains dealer Haruna Bukar said. However, some traders warn the drop may be temporary due to poor storage facilities. “If government provides storage centres, we can keep prices stable,” said retailer Amina Umar. In Damaturu, prices have also fallen sharply. A big measure of white beans, formerly ₦6,000, now sells for ₦3,000, while red beans dropped from ₦4,800 to ₦2,400. Rice now sells for ₦2,500 per measure, down from ₦5,000, and a carton of spaghetti has dropped from ₦19,000 to ₦13,000. An economist with Yobe State University, Dr. Binta Yahaya, linked the decline to massive imports of grains such as rice and wheat by the present administration to curb food inflation. “When supply floods the market, prices naturally fall,” she said, urging government to balance imports with support for local farmers. In Adamawa, a 50kg bag of local rice now sells for ₦32,000–₦36,000, compared to ₦48,000–₦55,000 three months ago. Prices of maize and beans have also dropped significantly. Traders and consumers across the three states appealed to the government to sustain market stability and continue improving road access, transportation systems and farming support. Agriculture expert Dr. Obadiah Noah warned that while lower prices offer short-term relief, heavy dependence on imports could affect long-term food security. He urged investment in irrigation, credit access, rural roads and security on farmlands to ensure sustainable production.
