The average price of a 50kg bag of rice in Nigeria has fallen to ₦54,000, driven by a sharp drop in demand following rumours of deadly rice in circulation and an oversupply of the staple grain from India, according to a recent report by S&P Global.
Just a month ago, the same bag of rice was selling for about ₦58,000. However, fears spread quickly across regions like Badagry in Lagos State and Idiroko in Ogun State after unverified reports claimed that over 70 people had died from consuming allegedly contaminated rice, according to reports by Punch News.
Voice notes and WhatsApp messages warning people against buying rice went viral, prompting many families to avoid purchasing the staple altogether. Despite reassurances from the Nigeria Customs Service in Seme, which officially debunked the claims, the panic significantly affected market demand.
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In response to the dwindling sales, rice vendors in border communities such as Badagry recorded and circulated videos to counter the rumours. In the videos shared on Thursday and Friday, the sellers dismissed the deadly rice narrative as fake and unfounded, insisting that no such deaths occurred as a result of consuming rice.
As a result of low patronage, prices have plunged, especially in areas close to Nigeria’s borders, where a 50kg bag of rice is now reportedly selling for as low as ₦50,000.
