Encomium
The exportation of yam from Nigeria to Europe seems not to be going down well in the Nigeria market as prices of yam has started skyrocketing. ENCOMIUM Weekly findings revealed that yam is gradually getting out of the reach of the common man.
A market survey conducted by ENCOMIUM Weekly revealed that aside the increment, it has become a scarce commodity in some markets.
According to Madam Mojisola, a trader at Ile Epo Oja, “Yam is available at Ile Epo but it is very expensive. A trailer load of yam still arrived yesterday but it is just too expensive. A medium size is sold for N800 – N1000 that depends on how big it is. There are some sold over a thousand naira. We hope there would be some relief when new yam comes out.”
Speaking also on this development, Mrs. Aderemi stated, “Apart from the fact that it is expensive, there is a new trend going on, sellers can divide a tuber of yam to four pieces, and they can sell a portion for N300, while a whole tuber of yam goes for N900 depending on the size.”
Mr. Chiedu further added, “There is scarcity of yam at Ojo market. Even if expensive, we should be able to buy. But it is not available . I had to buy one close to my place of work because I can’t get to buy at home.
Ms Azeezat, who went to the market on Saturday, also spoke with ENCOMIUM Weekly: “The one I got was a bit tiny and it was too expensive. I got it for N850, the man almost beat me when I priced it at N700.”
Before the exportation move, a tuber of yam was sold for N550- N600 depending on the size. Now it is sold for N800.
It would be recalled that Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says the country will on June 29, export 72 tonnes of yam to Europe and the United States of America (USA). A statement by Dr Olukayode Oyeleye, the Special Assistant to the minister (Media), in Abuja disclosed that at a meeting with members of the Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme. The minister said the flag off of the yam export would be done at the Apapa Port and would be exported in three containers at 24 tonnes each. According to him, one container will be exported to the United Kingdom, while the other two will be taken to the U.S. The minister appealed to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to reduce inspection charges on export produce to encourage more exporters and enable the country become competitive in the export market. “To make yam competitive, we will work on the packages and the right types of trucks to be used for transportation of the produce. “Oil and gas cannot employ millions of people just like agriculture so, we must work hard to move from oil to earning foreign exchange from agriculture.”
ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered that the exportation process has already commenced in earnest.
- SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
