Introduction
Pepper is a small but mighty ingredient in Nigerian kitchens—one that has become painfully
expensive in recent times. Known for adding heat, colour, and flavour to countless meals,
pepper is now burning holes in the pockets of both traders and consumers. What was once a
staple is fast becoming a struggle.
Pepper Prices on Fire: What’s Happening?
Across major markets like Lagos’s Mile 12, Abuja’s Garki, and Port Harcourt’s Mile One, the
price of pepper has surged to record highs. A basket of scotch bonnet (commonly known as
atarodo), which previously cost ₦50,000 to ₦70,000, is now being sold for as much as
₦200,000.
For everyday buyers, the same handful of pepper that cost ₦500 just a few months ago now
sells for ₦1,500 or more. Many shoppers are stunned, scaling back their purchases or opting for
far smaller quantities.
Traders and Consumers Speak Out
When FoodBay TV visited Mile 12 market, the atmosphere was tense. Traders expressed
frustration at how rapidly the prices have climbed, and many linked the situation to Nigeria’s
wider economic challenges.
One trader lamented, “Customers think we are the problem, but we are also suffering. The
prices from the source are unbelievable now.”
Some consumers directly blamed the government, citing inflation, the weakening naira, and
insecurity as reasons for the surge. A few others argued that transportation costs and seasonal
shortages play a bigger role than people realise.
Regardless of the cause, the impact is clear: people are struggling to afford a key ingredient that
is deeply tied to Nigeria’s food culture.
Behind the Price Surge: What’s Driving the Crisis?
Several factors have converged to cause the pepper price spike:
● Insecurity in Farming Communities: Many of Nigeria’s pepper-producing regions are
plagued by banditry and farmer-herder conflicts, limiting farming activities and access to
farmlands.
● Transportation Costs: With rising fuel prices and poorly maintained roads, moving
pepper from the farms to urban markets has become increasingly expensive.
● Seasonal Gaps: Off-season farming has led to shortages, and storage issues mean that
