By Ali Elias
What was once a humble snack for roadside enjoyment or a staple in local homes is fast becoming a luxury item in Enugu State. Corn, whether roasted or boiled, has seen a sharp rise in price—by over 50%—causing concern among residents and squeezing already strained household budgets.
A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday revealed that a combination of climate-related factors, labour costs, and broader economic conditions are responsible for the surge.
From Enugu’s bustling Ogbete Market to rural roadside stalls, corn sellers shared stories of escalating costs and declining sales. Miss Amarachi Eze, a roasted corn vendor, explained that in 2024 she could purchase seven pieces of corn for ₦1,000. Now, she buys the same quantity for ₦2,000 and resells them for between ₦400 and ₦500 apiece, depending on size.
“Out of that, we still pay for charcoal, paper, and transportation,” she lamented. “The least nylon bag of charcoal is now ₦500. By the time you calculate everything, you realize you’re not making as much as it seems.”
Similarly, another vendor, known as Mama Ejima, echoed the concern. “A small bag containing about 80 pieces cost ₦13,000 last year. This year, it’s ₦25,500. And the harvest is just starting. By now last year, corn was everywhere,” she said.
Farmers in the state attribute the rising prices primarily to erratic weather patterns, particularly delayed rainfall, a growing symptom of climate change.
“Corn needs consistent rain to thrive,” said Mr. John Oroke, a local farmer. “Fertilizer without rain only burns the plants.” He emphasized the critical role of climate, saying the rain pattern this year was neither timely nor sufficient for corn farming.
Another farmer, Mr. Emmanuel Okafor, cited the increasing cost of farm labour and the destructive impact of herder incursions on farmlands. “Part of my farm was destroyed by cows,” he revealed. “And paying labourers has become so expensive. The sun’s heat and irregular rains did the rest.”
These challenges have fueled growing calls for government intervention.
“There’s an urgent need for irrigation systems to support year-round farming,” Mr. Oroke pleaded. “The state must also tackle the farmer-herder conflicts decisively.”
For buyers, the pinch is tangible.
Mrs. Ogechukwu Nweke, a customer at a local corn stall, expressed frustration over rising food prices. “Everything is expensive now. Even corn. We still buy it, but it’s hard. Government must help farmers if we want prices to come down.”
While farmers and vendors hold out hope that prices may stabilize as harvests increase in the coming months, the current spike highlights deeper issues in Nigeria’s food production ecosystem—climate volatility, inadequate infrastructure, and inflationary pressures—exposing the vulnerability of everyday staples to the country’s broader economic and environmental realities.