"Significant Drop in Food Prices Offers Relief to Households in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States"

 Prices for essential food items have seen a notable decline in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states, providing some relief to residents in these regions.

In Anambra, recent market surveys indicate a drop in the cost of garri and tomatoes. A bag of garri, which was priced at N90,000 in June, now costs N75,000. The price of tomatoes has also decreased, with a basket falling from N100,000 to between N80,000 and N85,000. Additionally, a paint bucket of tomatoes now ranges from N6,000 to N7,000, down from N12,000 earlier. Other foodstuffs have also become more affordable, including a bag of chilli pepper, which has reduced from N120,000 to N60,000, and a paint bucket of cayenne pepper, which now costs N10,000 compared to N15,000 previously.

Conversely, some items have not seen a significant price drop. For instance, beans and rice prices remain high, with a 50-kg bag of beans increasing from N240,000 in June to N260,000. The high transportation costs, according to sellers, contribute to these elevated prices. Mrs. Chinenye Uba, a local foodstuff seller, suggested that reducing fuel prices could potentially lower food costs.

In Ebonyi, while garri prices have decreased, other food items have become more expensive. A bag of garri now ranges from N24,000 to N28,000, down from N35,000 to N40,000. However, beans and rice prices remain high, with a 100-kg bag of beans reaching up to N225,000. Yam prices have not seen a reduction due to the uncelebrated new yam festival, which traditionally affects the availability of new yam.

Enugu has also experienced price reductions. A 100-kg bag of white garri, previously priced at N134,400, now costs N105,000. The price of yellow garri has dropped from N168,000 to between N142,000 and N147,000. Onions and tomatoes have also become cheaper, with onions now at N80,000 per bag and tomatoes at N50,000 per basket.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra recently initiated the "Farm to Feed" campaign, aiming to bolster local food production and reduce food insecurity. This initiative includes distributing various seedlings to over 5,000 farmers to encourage increased agricultural output and potentially stabilize food prices in the state.