By Fatima Mukhtar
More than 500 bags of onions have reportedly gone to waste across several markets following a sharp drop in onion prices and poor patronage from buyers.
Market sources revealed that the sudden fall in prices was triggered by the arrival of new harvests from the northern producing states, causing a glut in supply and leaving traders stranded with large quantities they could not sell.
At some markets, especially in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kano, heaps of onions were seen rotting in the open as traders lamented their losses. Many said they had invested heavily in purchasing and transporting the produce, only for demand to collapse abruptly.
One trader in the Dawanau Market, Kano, explained that a large bag of onions that sold for as high as ₦150,000 a few months ago now goes for between ₦70,000 and ₦85,000. Others said they were forced to abandon their stock due to the cost of storage and transport.
The Onion Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (OPMAN) confirmed that the industry is facing serious challenges, citing inadequate storage facilities, poor processing systems, and seasonal oversupply as major causes of losses.
Agricultural analysts have called for urgent government intervention through investment in modern storage facilities and processing plants to preserve perishable farm produce and prevent recurring waste.
Meanwhile, affected traders have appealed to the federal and state governments to support them with relief measures, warning that many may be forced out of business if the trend continues.
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