Onion farmers blame flooding, climate change for price hike
The Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria has attributed the sharp rise in onion prices and its scarcity to flooding and climate change.
Mr Aliyu Isah, the National President of the Association, discussed the factors behind the price surge in an interview on Sunday in Lagos.
From the fourth quarter of 2024, the price of onions soared, with a bag now costing between N250,000 and N270,000, compared to N70,000 to N90,000 in earlier months. Similarly, the price of a medium-sized onion bulb increased from N50 to N500.
Isah explained that the flooding that occurred in 2024 significantly impacted onion production. “The flooding that affected our farms, from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, up to Adamawa, caused a shortage in supply,” he said.
He also highlighted the release of water from dams in northern Nigeria, such as the Goroyo Dam in Sokoto, which inundated onion farms in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states. Isah noted that the destruction of farmlands in Borno due to dam breakages compounded the problem.
The impact of climate change was also cited as a major contributor. “The heavy rainfall in 2024 led to increased humidity, which triggered outbreaks of Downy Mildew, a disease that devastated our farms,” Isah said.
“Some farms were affected at the seedling stage, others at the nursery stage, and some just before harvest.”
The lack of improved onion seedlings has been a persistent issue. “Flooding disrupted local seed production systems, and now we are forced to rely on imported hybrid seeds. Some of these seeds are substandard, resulting in poor yields,” Isah lamented.
He further attributed the price surge to inadequate storage facilities, which lead to high post-harvest losses. “Over 50% of the harvested produce is lost due to the lack of proper storage technology,” he explained.
Isah revealed that the Association is working with the Federal Government to increase production and help alleviate the rising costs of onions.
