Rice Farmers Blame Price Hike on Cartel, Middlemen

Leaders of rice farmers’ associations in Nigeria have attributed the persistent rise in rice prices to the activities of cartels, unscrupulous farmers, and middlemen who they say are undermining government interventions.

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, the Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Sakin Agbayewa, said artificial manipulations were driving up prices despite government support.

“Some farmers empowered by government failed to cultivate, while others exploit shortages by rebagging local rice in foreign sacks to sell at higher costs. A cartel has deliberately created scarcity to frustrate government’s efforts,” Agbayewa alleged.

He noted that although the Federal Government had granted waivers for rice imports to crash prices, some importers hoarded supplies, pushing prices up once the waiver ended.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Lagos chapter, Mr. Raphael Hunsa, called on government to engage genuine local farmers directly.

“The price will continue to rise unless interventions reach real farmers. Policies should be designed with input from those on the ground. That is the only way to stabilise rice prices,” Hunsa said. He also urged farmers not to sell off government inputs but to use them for production continuity.

Dealers in Lagos confirmed the surge. At Oja Oba Market, Agege, rice dealer Mustafa Aliu said a 50kg bag now sells for between N70,000 and N80,000, up from N45,000–N55,000 just two months ago. At Iddo Market, trader Temitayo Hakeem noted some brands of foreign rice sell for as high as N145,000 to N150,000 per bag.

NAN reports that a 50kg bag of local rice currently goes for N65,000–N80,000 depending on the variety.