Your go-to source for in-depth coverage of political developments, economic trends, social affairs, and vibrant cultural stories from across the continent.
Niger is witnessing significant fluctuations in the prices of fruit and vegetable staples, with market trends reflecting a complex interplay of seasonal supply changes and shifting consumer demand, according to the latest report by the Agricultural Market Information System (SIMA).
Between June 11 and June 17, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, and squash saw noticeable price hikes, while other staples like peppers, cabbage, and lemons recorded marked declines.
The data underscores the dynamic nature of local markets as the country navigates post-holiday supply patterns.
Tomatoes led the weekly surge, increasing by 15%, bringing the average price to 601 CFA francs per kilogram.
The lowest price of 400 CFA/kg was observed in Zinder, while Niamey’s Katako market recorded the highest at 751 CFA/kg. However, despite this short-term rise, tomato prices have plummeted by 45% compared to the same period in 2024.
Potatoes rose 7% this week, averaging 861 CFA/kg.
Regional disparities remain wide, with Tahoua reporting the lowest price at 650 CFA/kg and Diffa the highest at 1,200 CFA/kg.
Still, on a year-over-year basis, potato prices are down 2%.
Squash prices climbed by 4% to 284 CFA/kg, driven by decreased availability and robust demand.
Compared to last year, squash prices have surged by 16%, with costs ranging from 200 CFA/kg in Zinder to 400 CFA/kg in Diffa.
In contrast, fresh bell peppers experienced a dramatic 23% drop, now averaging 834 CFA/kg.
The price ranged from 250 CFA/kg in Zinder to a staggering 2,000 CFA/kg in Maradi. Compared to 2024, this marks a 43% annual decline.
Cabbage and lemons also saw weekly declines of 9% and 7%, respectively.
The average cabbage price is now 423 CFA/kg, with the lowest in Tahoua (277 CFA/kg) and the highest in Agadez (700 CFA/kg).
Lemon prices fell to 453 CFA/kg, down from 485 CFA/kg last week, with a 14% year-over-year drop.
Other products posted smaller movements: bananas rose by 2% to 917 CFA/kg, while dates and oranges edged up 1% each, standing at 700 CFA/kg and 421 CFA/kg, respectively.
Despite these increases, both bananas and oranges remain cheaper than the same week in 2024.
SIMA notes that these price variations are largely influenced by seasonal supply cycles and demand pressures following recent festivities.
With such volatility across markets, consumers and traders alike are bracing for further shifts in the weeks ahead.
