Nigerian onion producers are sounding the alarm that the festive season will push onion prices upward, largely because of heightened consumer demand during the yuletide period coupled with constrained supply.
Post‑harvest losses, insufficient storage infrastructure, and unfavorable weather in major growing areas have reduced available stocks, leading farmers to forecast steeper costs for buyers in the weeks ahead.
Market data indicate that a 100‑kilogram sack of onions now sells for roughly N130,000 in Lagos, marking a 30 percent rise compared with earlier months. In northern wholesale markets such as Kano and Kaduna, smaller bags are fetching between N25,000 and N30,000, while the national retail average hovers around N600 per kilogram, highlighting the price differential between production zones and key consumption centers.
The price pressure is expected to intensify as the holiday season progresses, with the sharpest increases likely in December and early January when demand for traditional dishes peaks. Stakeholders warn that without improvements in storage facilities or a better harvest in the upcoming season, onion prices are likely to remain elevated for the rest of the year.
