IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON FOOD PRICE INDEX IN NIGERIA
COVID-19 impact on food prices
Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, food commodities, price differences, NigeriaAbstract
The economic effect of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on food access/demand can lead to food price changes This study was designed to evaluate the covid-19 influenced differences in food commodity prices. The study design captured eight urban markets in eight Nigerian states. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed. The number of sample points for each measure and commodity ranged from two to four per selected market. Local measures of commodities sold by traders were obtained and weighed using a calibrated weighing scale. The price equivalent of the weighted portions were obtained for three designated intervals; pre-covid-19 lockdown (September, 2019), peak of nationwide lockdown (May-June, 2020) and post covid-19 lockdown (March, 2021). Results revealed that cereals/grains significantly increased (4.87-23.53%) during the lockdown and even further (38.68-65.16%) after the lockdown. Yam, sweet potato and cassava flour (alagbo) experienced a double increase in the post-lockdown (96.32-117.5%) price. The market price for legumes/nuts increased during the lockdown (4.51-47.37%) and worsened post-lockdown (27.82-155.26%). Vegetables recorded a huge leap in price within the lockdown period (64.39-197.98%) than post-lockdown (-8.95% to 66.22%). Same was observed for goat meat (lockdown price – 30.0%; post-lockdown -12.38%). Egg and milk recorded a mild upsurge in the price during the lockdown (12.69-16.46%) and post-lockdown era (18.28-29.86%). Other essential commodities such as oil, salt and sugar experienced price upsurge as well (lockdown; 3.82 -17.07; post lockdown; 0.31-21.9%). Food prices increased during the lockdown and worsened afterwards, efforts to eliminate food system disruptions will boost food production and enhance physical accessibility
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Thurlow, J. (2020). Food Security, Poverty, and Inequality; COVID-19 lockdowns have imposed substantial economic costs on countries in Africa. International Food Policy Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.ifpri.org/blog/covid-19-lockdowns-are-imposing-substantial-economic-costs-countries-africa.
Torero, M. (2020). “COVID-19 and the Risk to Food Supply Chains: How to Respond?” Policy Brief, 29 March. Rome: FAO. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8388en.
World Health Organization (2020). 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCoV): Strategic preparedness and response plan. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default source/coronaviruse/srp-04022020.pdf?sfvrsn=7ff55ec0_4&download=true.
Adeyinka, S.A., Kuye, O.A., & Agbabiaka, H.I. (2016). Assessment of Market Facilities and Locational Effects on Adjoining Neighbourhoods in Nigerian Urban Centers: Empirical Evidence from Akure, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific & Technological Research, 5 (4), 199-206.
Aiijah A. (2014). "Six weeks after Jos Explosions, street traders return to Terminus Market". Premium Times. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/tag/terminus-market (Accessed on 11/06/2021).
Ajibo, H. (2020). Effect of Covid-19 on Nigerian Socio-economic Well-being, Health Sector Pandemic Preparedness and the Role of Nigerian Social Workers in the War against Covid-19. Social Work in Public Health, 35 (7), 511-522.
Akter, S. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 related ‘stay-at-home’ restrictions on food prices in Europe: findings from a preliminary analysis. Food Security, 12, 719–725.
Ayinde, I.A. (2005). Market dynamics for cowpeas: weight and measurement issues in kuto market, Abeokuta, Nigeria. doi: 10.1.1.560.372
Babatunde, A.O., Aborode, A.T., & Agboola, P. (2020). Implications of COVID-19 on the Healthcare Infrastructural Development in Nigeria. Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences, 12 (4), e112934.
Beckman, J., Baquedano, F. & Countryman, A. (2021). The impacts of COVID-19 on GDP, food prices, and food security. Q Open 1, 1–17
Coke-Hamilton, P. & Nkurunziza, J. (2020). COVID-19 and Food Security in Vulnerable Countries. Retrieved from https://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=2331
Delia, G., Morenike D. & Silvia, A. (2019). "Improving food safety in the informal sector: nine years later". Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 9 (1), 1579613.
Espitia, A., Rocha, N., Ruta, M. (2020). “COVID-19 and Food Protectionism: The Impact of the Pandemic and Export Restrictions on World Food Markets”. Policy Research Working Paper 9253. Washington, DC: World Bank. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33800.
Ewodage, R. (2020). COVID-19: How We Plan To Implement Social Distancing In Lagos Markets, Transport System – Sanwo-Olu. Retrieved from https://www.channelstv.com/2020/03/22/covid19-how-we-plan-to-implement-socialdistancing-in-Lagos-markets-transport-system.
FAO (2020a). Anticipating the impacts of COVID-19 in humanitarian and food crisis contexts. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8464en
FAO (2020b). Responding to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on food value chains through efficient logistics [Online]. http://www.fao.org/3/ca8466en/CA8466EN. (Accessed on 21/05/2021).
FAO (2021c). Consumer Price Indices Metadata. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/CP/metadata. (Accessed 06/09/2021)
FAO, (2021d). FAO Data Lab Food Prices Methodology. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. Retrieved from http://datalab.review.fao.org/datalab/website/food-prices.
Farzana, A., Amrita, D., Sanchari, R. (2020). How has Covid-19 crisis affected the urban poor? Findings from a phone survey. Poverty & Inequality. Retrieved from https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/poverty-inequality/how-has-covid-19-crisis-affected-the-urban-poor-findings-from-a-phone-survey.html
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. 2020. Impact of COVID-19 on Food Systems in Nigeria. Situation Report -Edition 1. November 2020.
He, X., Xiong, T. Zhang, W. (2020). COVID-19 Economic Database: China. Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Retrieved from https://www.card.iastate.edu/china/covid-19/.
Iheme, G.O., Jagun, A.O., Egechizuorom, I.M., et al. (2020). Food consumption and coping strategies of urban-households in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. World Nutrition 11, 35-50
International Food Policy Research Institute (2020). “COVID-19 Food Price Monitor Tool: South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara,” Food Security Portal (Washington: International Food Policy Research Institute).
Matthieu, T. & Céline, Z. (2020). The economic impact of COVID-19 lockdowns in Sub-saharan Africa; International Growth Center, Policy Brief. Retrieved from www.igc.org/covid-19.
Nextier, S.P.D. (2020). Food for War and Peace. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/food-war-and-peace
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (2020). COVID-19 guidance for safe mass gatherings in Nigeria. Retrieved from www.covid19.ncdc.gov.ng
Okezie, C.R., Okezie, C.A. & Sylvester, C.C. (2017). Factors affecting women entrepreneurs’ financial performance in Umuahia Ubani market, Abia State, Nigeria. Nigeria Agricultural Journal, 48 (2), 230-235.
Orewere, E., Akaka, Z.U., Hassan, B. et al. (2019). An Assessment of Open Market Goods Display on the Surrounding Landscape of Jos City Centre, Nigeria. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Research, 5 (4), 1-22.
Paslakis, G., Dimitropoulos, G. & Katzman, D.K. (2021). A call to action to address COVID-19–induced global food insecurity to prevent hunger, malnutrition, and eating pathology. Nutrition Reviews, 79, 114–116.
Paul, S.K. & Chowdhury, P. (2020). A production recovery plan in manufacturing supply chains for a high-demand item during COVID-19. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistic Management, 51, 104-125.
Radio Nigeria (2020). President Buhari urges caution, not fear over Covid-19. Retrieved from https://www.radionigeria.gov.ng/2020/03/19/president-buhariurges-caution-not-fear-over-covid_19-full-text.
Sadiq, L. (2012). "Nigeria: Jos Main Market - A Forgotten Legacy". Daily Trust. All Africa. Retrieved from https://allafrica.com/stories/201201030840.html.
Stephens, E.C., Martin, G. & Wijk, M.T. et al. (2020). Editorial: impacts of COVID-19 on agricultural and food systems worldwide and on progress to the sustainable development goals. Agricultural Systems, 183, 102873
The Eagle Online. 2021. Fire destroys shops, property worth billions of Naira at Katsina Central Market. Retrieved from https://theeagleonline.com.ng/fire-destroys-shops-property-worth-billions-of-naira-at-katsina-central-market/.
Thurlow, J. (2020). Food Security, Poverty, and Inequality; COVID-19 lockdowns have imposed substantial economic costs on countries in Africa. International Food Policy Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.ifpri.org/blog/covid-19-lockdowns-are-imposing-substantial-economic-costs-countries-africa.
Torero, M. (2020). “COVID-19 and the Risk to Food Supply Chains: How to Respond?” Policy Brief, 29 March. Rome: FAO. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8388en.
World Health Organization (2020). 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCoV): Strategic preparedness and response plan. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default source/coronaviruse/srp-04022020.pdf?sfvrsn=7ff55ec0_4&download=true.
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Published
2022-05-30
How to Cite
Iheme, G. O. (2022). IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON FOOD PRICE INDEX IN NIGERIA : COVID-19 impact on food prices. Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society, 10(3). Retrieved from https://thefutureoffoodjournal.com/manuscript/index.php/FOFJ/article/view/547
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