Major relief as grain, other food prices drop in Dambam Markets
Story by Kasim Isa Muhammad
Residents of Dambam Local Government Area in Bauchi State have expressed relief as the prices of key food commodities such as maize, millet, beans, and sorghum recorded significant reductions this week. The fall in grain prices comes at a time when many households have been struggling with the high cost of living.
According to traders at the Dambam grain market, the price of old maize now sells between ₦37,000 and ₦39,000 per bag, while new maize has dropped further, trading between ₦30,000 and ₦31,000. Millet has also seen a price fall, with old millet ranging from ₦31,000 to ₦33,000 and new millet selling for as low as ₦25,000 to ₦26,000.
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In the beans market, a bag of white beans (large size) is being sold between ₦65,000 and ₦73,000, while red beans (large size) range from ₦73,000 to ₦86,000 depending on quality. Other staple crops, such as sorghum, are now selling between ₦30,000 and ₦31,000, while processed rice is priced between ₦35,000 and ₦37,000.
However, some commodities remain costly. A bag of groundnuts is priced between ₦120,000 and ₦125,000, while melon sells between ₦44,000 and ₦52,000 depending on the variety. Local dried hibiscus flower, popularly known as zobo, remains relatively affordable at ₦20,000 to ₦21,000 per bag. Meanwhile, premium-quality rice is priced at about ₦126,000 per bag, reflecting persisting high demand and processing costs.
For many buyers, the recent price cuts are a welcome development. “Last year, it was difficult for an average family to buy even half a bag of maize, but now we can see some relief,” said Musa Abdullahi, a farmer and father of five. “The drop in millet and maize, especially, is helping households who rely on these staples daily.”
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Women traders in local food stalls also confirmed that the reduced prices have encouraged more purchases, boosting sales.
Grain traders attributed the price drop to the ongoing harvest season, which has increased the supply of newly harvested crops. “Farmers have started bringing in large quantities of maize and millet from the farms, so naturally prices are coming down,” explained trader Aisha Ibrahim. “It is good for business because more people can now afford to buy, even though our profit margins are smaller.”
Another trader, however, expressed concerns about future fluctuations. “Groundnut and beans are still on the high side,” said Alhaji Sule. “If transportation costs and insecurity in farming areas continue, prices may rise again later.”
The new pricing at the Dambam Market remains a source of relief for both households and small-scale retailers.
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