Traders and consumers in Lagos have lamented the sharp rise in ginger prices, attributing the development to insecurity in major producing communities, dwindling supplies, and rising transportation costs.
The respondents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, said the situation has made the popular spice increasingly unaffordable for many households.
NAN reports that ginger is widely used in Nigerian homes for cooking, beverages, and traditional remedies because of its distinctive flavour and perceived health benefits.
The spice is produced mainly in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States before being transported to markets across the country.
However, traders said supplies reaching Lagos markets have declined significantly in recent months, resulting in steep price increases.
NAN reports that data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Nigeria’s ginger exports dropped by 74 per cent to N6.28 billion in the first nine months of 2024, compared with N23.76 billion recorded during the corresponding period of 2023.
Industry stakeholders have linked the decline partly to disease outbreaks that affected ginger farms in key producing states, including Kaduna and Kano.
