Jubilation as Price of Rice, Sugar, Flour, Others Finally Falls in Markets, Experts React
Recent observations by the Financial Derivatives Company Limited have brought a wave of relief across the country as staple food prices, including rice, sugar, and flour, are reported to be on a decline. This positive development is attributed to the strengthening of the naira against the dollar and other major currencies, signaling good news for households and businesses alike.
The managing director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, in a recent analysis, highlighted the naira’s recovery to N1,260/$ in official markets and N1,125/$ in parallel markets. This improvement in the currency’s value has directly impacted the cost of various commodities, leading to a notable decrease in prices.
Rewane detailed the price changes: “Significant commodities like rice (50kg) have seen a reduction of 5.26% to N90,000, sugar by 5.88% to N80,000 per bag, flour by 7.81% to N59,000 per bag, and noodles (carton) by an impressive 15.22% to N7,800 per carton.”
The decline in food prices is seen as a direct reflection of the naira’s appreciation, as businesses begin to replenish their inventories at lower costs. Rewane anticipates that, should the naira continue to strengthen due to improved forex supply, commodity prices might see further reductions, thereby easing inflationary pressures in the near future.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s recent interventions to clean up the foreign exchange (FX) market have played a significant role in stabilizing the naira. A noteworthy factor has been the clearing of a $7 billion certified foreign exchange backlog, a move that CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso had committed to, aiming to stabilize currency rates, curb import inflation, and boost economic confidence.
Dr. Aminu Gwadabe, President of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), praised the CBN’s policy adjustments, which have encouraged more forex inflows and facilitated a more realistic price discovery in the market. He attributed the quick, positive changes to the CBN’s strategic involvement of the BDC sector, which has effectively curtailed hoarding and speculation.
As the naira’s position strengthens and commodity prices drop, the recent hardship faced by millions of Nigerians due to the skyrocketing prices of goods and services is expected to alleviate. The country had witnessed severe cost-cutting measures among its citizens to cope with the financial strain, a situation underscored by the rise in the December headline inflation. However, with the latest economic developments, there’s a renewed sense of hope for better days ahead.
The decline in essential commodity prices is a timely reminder of the intricate connection between currency strength, market policies, and everyday living costs. As stakeholders continue to monitor these developments, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious optimism, with an eager lookout for sustained economic improvements that bring relief to households across the nation.
