By Okafor Joseph Afam, January 2, 2025

It’s a time of joy for onion farmers, as the price of their produce has surged by an impressive 108 percent over the past year, largely due to high demand spurred by regional festivities and increasing consumption from neighboring West African countries.

A recent investigation by BusinessDay revealed that demand for Nigerian onions has risen sharply in countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, and other West African nations. This uptick in demand, coupled with the festive seasons of Christmas and New Year, has created a substantial pressure on the local supply, particularly in the southern parts of Nigeria.

Additionally, some farmers had opted to plant low-yield seedlings, resulting in fewer onions hitting the market in time to meet rising demand. At the Mile 12 Market in Lagos, for instance, the price of a giant bag of onions soared from N130,000 in December 2023 to N270,000 in December 2024—marking a 108 percent price increase.

Prices have also spiked in other states. In Plateau, a bag of onions jumped 108 percent from N120,000 in December 2023 to N250,000 in December 2024. The same trend has been observed in Anambra and Delta states.

“The high prices are due to both the festive season and the growing demand from neighboring countries. However, poor yields from farmers who planted subpar seedlings have worsened the situation,” said Danladi Haruna, an onion farmer and trader based in Kano State.

Amir Idris, national secretary of the National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), noted that the prevalence of poor-quality seedlings is hampering production. He explained that many farmers experienced low yields due to bad seeds planted during the dry season in October, causing an imbalance between supply and demand.

Currently, a bundle of six small onions is priced at N1,500, up from N500 in the same period last year, reflecting a 200 percent price increase. Idris urged consumers to brace for continued high prices until better hybrid seeds are introduced to the market.

Despite these challenges, Haruna remains optimistic, pointing out that many farmers, like himself, are reaping the rewards of their investments. “It’s unfortunate that consumers are paying more, but those who put in the effort last season are now seeing the benefits. That’s the nature of agriculture,” he remarked.

With 2025’s dry season onion planting already underway, Idris and his associates continue to push for solutions to improve seed quality. He highlighted a proposal for training local seed producers at Zaria’s National Horticultural Research Institute, which could improve seedling quality and, in turn, boost yields.

Meanwhile, the demand for Nigerian onions from neighboring countries like Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire is adding pressure to an already strained supply chain. Kabiru Farakwai, NOPPMAN’s organizing secretary in Kaduna, emphasized that the prevalence of bad seeds, combined with regional flooding, has worsened the situation.

In 2023, Nigeria was ranked the fourth-largest producer of onions in West Africa, producing 244,051 metric tons, according to FAOStat. However, the country faces significant challenges in meeting domestic demand, let alone regional exports. The onion’s central role in Nigerian cuisine, including popular dishes such as Jollof rice and stews, makes the price hikes particularly impactful for consumers.

As the onion market continues to experience volatility, experts agree that Nigeria must prioritize improvements in seed quality and farmer training to secure the long-term sustainability of its onion production.