Food inflation, power cuts reshape household spending

Food inflation and unreliable electricity are forcing Nigerians to rethink how they buy, preserve and consume food, placing fresh strain on already stretched household budgets.

Residents, traders and an economist told reporters that rising prices and power cuts were changing spending habits and business operations.

The National Bureau of Statistics said food inflation rose from 16.96 per cent in May to 17.52 per cent in June.

The increase highlights continued pressure on household food costs despite efforts to stabilise the economy.

The World Agriculture Forum said rising energy and transportation costs were increasing production expenses and threatening food security.

According to the forum, the pressures are exposing weaknesses in food systems, reducing purchasing power and driving food inflation.

Stakeholders said erratic electricity had raised the cost of preserving perishable goods, forcing many traders to reduce stock.

Mrs Kemi Hassan, a cleaner in Ogba earning ₦50,000 monthly, said her family had abandoned balanced meals because they could no longer afford them.

“We eat just to stay alive. My children and I are tired of eating rice every day, but that’s all we can afford.

“We just change the colour with whatever is available,” she said.

Hassan said rising food prices had reduced meal choices, leaving many low-income families focused on survival rather than nutrition.

Ladipo fish trader Hajara Bello said she now stocked less fish to avoid losses from slow sales and costly preservation.

“I no longer take full cartons of fish to the market. I leave some in the cold room to avoid spoilage and running at a loss,” she said.

Bello said repeated trips to the cold room increased transport costs but were cheaper than losing unsold fish.

Mrs Chioma Mbanefo, an Ikeja resident, said grocery shopping had become frustrating because prices often forced her to abandon planned purchases.

“I will go with a list, but end up buying different things because of the price.

“I can’t remember the last time I ate something just for pleasure,” she said.

An economist, Mrs Josephine Eze, said persistent food inflation continued to place households under severe financial pressure.

She said unreliable electricity increased production and preservation costs, making it harder for traders to maintain stable prices.

Eze urged government to improve electricity supply, support local food production and strengthen transport infrastructure.

She said better electricity and lower food distribution costs would ease inflationary pressures on households and businesses.