Beans, traditionally an affordable staple for low-income households, has seen a significant price increase in Nigeria, making the various types of the staple increasingly out of reach for many.
Once known as the "poor man’s food" due to its affordability, beans is now becoming a luxury item for many Nigerians, increasing concerns about the affordability of cheap proteins to balance the diet of a largely poor population.
The cost of beans increased by more than 250% between July 2023 to July 2024.
According to reports, one of the reasons for the high cost was the drop in bean yield from the previous year. As the dry season came, herders attacked farmlands, severely harming the bean plants, which are one of the last agricultural items to be harvested annually.
Farmers have also been selling agricultural products beans to neighbouring countries as well as the high cost of agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides are further factors.
In Nigeria, beans have long been a mainstay of the cuisine, and they are appreciated for their affordability and high nutritional value. The two most popular bean varieties are the brown beans and white black-eye beans.
They have served as a dependable source of protein for many years, particularly for families without access to meat or fish.
This historical role has changed significantly with the current price hike. Once a staple food accessible to all, beans are now becoming increasingly inaccessible to the very people who relied on it the most.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report on some selected food prices in Nigeria, the prices of beans increased the most in July 2024, compared to the prices in July 2023.
Similar spikes have been observed in yam tuber and tomato, but the increase in beans is the highest among every other food item reported by the NBS.
The change in beans from a cheap staple to an expensive commodity highlights a larger economic issue in Nigeria, where rising costs and inflation are gradually reducing low-income households' purchasing power.
For instance, if you previously spent ₦736 on 1kg of beans, the national average price now exceeds ₦2,000, and in some locations, it could be even higher.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) consumption pattern report, beans rank among the most consumed foods in Nigeria, largely produced in key northern states such as Borno, Gombe, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
The role of insecurity
Another key factor driving the increase in prices of beans is Nigeria's growing insecurity, particularly the farmer-herder clashes.
These clashes have escalated over the years, leading to violent confrontations that displace farmers and disrupt agricultural activities.
The rise in insecurity is evident from the alarming increase in the number of killings across Nigeria, from 2,206 fatalities in Q2 2023 to 2,971 fatalities in Q2 2024.
This mass displacement of farmers results in reduced crop production, including beans, contributing to the shrinking supply and rising prices.
Fertilizer prices
A significant increase in the price of fertilizers has also reportedly led to an increase in the price of beans in Nigeria.
Fertiliser costs increased by an average of 83% in 13 African countries, according to an ActionAid report. In Nigeria's Kaduna State, prices increased by an even more sharp 111%.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two of the biggest fertiliser exporters in the world, which has been directly connected to the sharp increase in fertiliser costs has caused major delays to the global supply chain.
Production and export operations have been suspended by the conflict, resulting in shortages that have repercussions for farming communities that rely on fertilisers to boost their yields.
Bean for well-being
Beans are known for their ability to provide a sense of fullness and contribute to overall well-being according to research.
People may find it more difficult to maintain a balanced diet when they are removed from their typical diet, which could result in inadequacies.
Since beans are necessary for the body to maintain daily physical and mental work, their absence may eventually have an impact on energy levels and overall health.
In light of easing the pressure of prices on beans and other food items that have increased in Nigeria, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced that the Bola Tinubu administration is implementing measures to tackle the ongoing food inflation crisis and boost food production in Nigeria.
Mr Kyari expressed optimism that the country is on track for a bumper harvest before the year’s end and also highlighted the federal government’s push towards mechanized farming.
This includes the distribution of fertilizers to farmers and initiatives to procure tractors, all aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security across the nation.