The prices of essential spices such as ginger, turmeric, chili pepper, and garlic have sharply increased, making them increasingly unaffordable for many Nigerians. This price hike has been attributed to a combination of factors, including heightened demand and reduced availability, especially in Kano State, where these spices are not typically grown.
The surge in demand for these spices began during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people became aware of their medicinal and nutritional benefits. Traditional medicine practitioners have also contributed to this increased demand by using these spices in the production of herbal remedies.
Malam Kasimu Jafaru, a spice trader at the Yankaba vegetable market in Kano, highlighted that the medicinal value of spices like turmeric, cloves, and ginger has driven their popularity. Another spice trader, Bello Isah Bango, noted that many Nigerians have continued to use these spices to boost their immune systems, a habit that started during the pandemic.
Despite Nigeria being one of the world’s largest producers of ginger, with an annual output of 31,000 metric tons, the production in Kano remains minimal. This scarcity has driven prices to unprecedented levels. For example, a bag of ginger that once sold for less than N50,000 now costs N265,000, while a measure that used to cost under N1,000 has skyrocketed to N11,000.
The sharp rise in prices has forced many traders out of the business due to the high capital required. Isah Bello Mai Citta, a veteran ginger farmer, described the current situation as unprecedented in his two decades of experience, noting that the export of these commodities to Europe and Asia has further exacerbated the price hike.
Abulrasheed Rimingado, Chairman of the Kano State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), explained that the high cost of cloves is due to the fact that they are imported, and the devaluation of the Naira, along with the country’s forex policies, has made importation more expensive. Additionally, ginger-producing states faced severe pest infestations in the last planting season, resulting in poor yields and further scarcity.
Efforts are reportedly underway to begin local production of cloves in Nigeria, which could eventually help stabilize prices. However, until then, the cost of spices is likely to remain a burden for many Nigerians.
