Nigeria: Food prices soar as northern traders and unions divert crops

OnionsPrices of fresh produce and food grains have skyrocketed in the southern states as traders from the north have been restrained from moving produce southwards. Residents of Oyo State, where the Shasa market crisis climaxed with the death of over 20 persons, have been paying more for smaller quantities of fresh produce and food crops as suppliers temporarily shift suppliest to Cameroon, Niger Republic and Chad following the crisis. The same situation applies in almost all states in the south as prices temporarily get out of the reach of average Nigerians. Investigations revealed that fresh fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, carrots, and food grains are in short supply from the north, forcing prices up. Reports also indicated that suppliers were stranded in-between Niger and Kwara states as they were prevented from moving food and animals towards the south on instructions of their unions. When contacted on phone, Malam Bala, one of the suppliers of produce to the ...