Beans farmers predict steady price hike

The Cowpea and Beans Farmers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (C&BFPMAN) has predicted a steady rise in the price of beans following the end of harvest season.

The C&BFPMAN President, Mr Kabir Shuaibu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.

Shuaibu attributed the current increase in the price of beans among other foodstuff to the end of its harvest season.

This, he said, would eventually lead to a steady increase in the price of the produce in the coming months.

“There is a shortage of farm produce because of inadequate rains last year, we had limited harvest. If there is excessive rainfall, we will still be harvesting beans.

“There is presently no beans in the farms at the moment that is why the price is gradually getting high. All farming clusters up North have harvested the produce,” Shuaibu said.

The president predicted that there would be scarcity of the produce in the coming months due to hoarding by some farmers in order to sell at a higher price.

“Some farmers in a bid for extra gains have started hoarding the produce for extra gains in the coming months.

“Some have hoarded up to 100 to 300 bags of beans to sell before the next harvest season.

“We expect a consistent rise in the price of beans as no farm has currently started cultivation of the produce due to the delayed rains.

“Currently, a 50kg bag of beans up North costs around N75,000 to N85,000, while a month ago , the same quantity sold between N50,000 or N55,000.

“We hope the rainy season starts soon, so we can begin the planting season in good time and hope the harvest is bountiful,” he said.