In Nigeria, whether it be in the mornings or the afternoons, beans are one of the often consumed meals. Nigerians like eating their beans in a variety of ways. Some choose to eat them with bread, while others prefer to eat them with garri. The nation of West Africa is among the world’s top producers of this grain crop. In Nigeria, beans are still the third most popular dietary item, after rice and cassava. The nation is the fourth-biggest producer of the crop worldwide and the largest producer of legumes in Africa.
Local farmers provide the majority of Nigeria’s bean needs, with a remarkable 47 million tonne capacity each year. Yet with such a large yearly capacity, Nigeria’s population growth leaves a gap in the supply.
This food item is not just a staple dish for many Nigerians; it also serves as their main source of protein. It is a priceless commodity and a significant source of cash for commercial growers. One of the oldest cultivable plants, beans are made from the seeds of many species of the Fabaceae family of flowering plants (which includes trees and shrubs). Being a plant of the Fabaceae family that produces seeds in a pod, legumes are also known to include beans. Among many others, additional legumes include soyabean, the delicate plant mimosa, peanuts, peas, lentils, and green pea. The nutritional benefits of beans include high levels of protein, complex carbs, folate, iron, and fiber. Moreover, beans have very little to no fat, which helps lower blood cholesterol. Many individuals are unsure if beans are considered a group of protein foods or carbs because each 100 grams of beans has 347 calories. Beans include 63 grams of carbohydrate and 21 grams of protein per 100 grams, leading one to the conclusion that beans have more carbohydrate than protein. Nonetheless, beans are in the vegetable food category and, like the majority of legumes, have greater levels of carbs and some protein.
When it comes to bean consumption worldwide, Nigerians are reputed to be at the top of the list. According to reports, Nigeria is the world’s top producer and consumer of beans. Nigeria reportedly produced 2.2 million metric tons of beans in 2010, according to estimates. At the time, this is the highest value ever recorded. The northern region of the nation, led by the states of Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Gombe, and Yobe, generated the majority of this 2.2 million metric tons. Beans are used to make soup, akara, moimoi, and boiled or porridge beans (gbegiri). In addition to the aforementioned species, Nigeria is home to several bean species. Oloyin, Olotun, Butter beans, Ion beans, zebra beans, and even the white varieties typical to the North are a few of these species. The following are a few advantages of eating beans:
- controls the amount of blood sugar.
- decreases chance of cancer.
- lowers the risk of heart disease
- is a source of protein, which is an essential component of food.
These are only a few of the health advantages of eating beans; others include the possibility of weight loss and protection against childhood obesity, as well as the presence of folate and antioxidants that are vital to the body’s systems. Bean varieties include black turtle, black-eyed peas, kidney, flat, cannellini, and yellow eye beans, among others.
The cost of beans has always been an issue, as it is with other staple foods, particularly for those in the low- and middle-income brackets in the nation.
A price difference of 100 to 200 Naira in a container’s measurement might have a significant impact on whether or not you decide to buy; albeit little, this difference could add up to a lot over bigger volumes.
The cost of beans is rather elusive due to a fragmented market and widespread price variance across states. Nonetheless, a wealth of physical outlets and cross-state web resources have allowed me to build reasonable averages of the overall price structure.
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Cost of a bag of beans in Nigerian Market
When it comes to the cost of beans in Nigeria, there are no strict regulations. It depends on the kind of beans in issue, the time of year, whether they are readily available, and where in the nation you want to purchase them.
Several Nigerian marketplaces sell beans, and the north of the country has lower bean prices than the south. The price of a 100kg bag of beans depends depend on what part of the nation you live in, but it typically runs from 80,000 to 100,000. Due to the farmers’ and herders’ crises and overall unrest in the nation, the price per bag has significantly increased compared to what was feasible in the year 2020. A paint bucket of beans in Nigeria would likely cost between N2,000 and N4,000, depending on where you buy them. A cup of beans will probably cost between N150 and N250. 12 to 13 paints are contained in a 50 kg bag of beans. 26 paint buckets are included in a 100 kilogram package of beans.
Beans cost between ₦40,000 and ₦50,000 yen at the time of writing. Not just beans, but all food items have seen price increases of an astounding 27% since February 2021, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Beans often cost ₦750 per mudu. The market price of a derica of beans will range from 400 to 650.
The cost of beans has increased significantly in Lagos since last year; the current price ranges from ₦24,750 for 50 kg of Oloyin beans to ₦50,000 for white beans. Brown beans are considerably more expensive, selling for roughly ₦40,000 at the moment.
- Oloyin Beans: Black-eyed pea beans, also known as honey beans or oloyin beans as they were known in Nigeria, are a light brown, kidney-shaped bean variety. A paint bucket might cost up to 4,000 Naira, while a 50 kg bag of oloyin beans costs ₦43,000. Oloyin beans weigh 4 kg and cost around ₦5,560 on Jumia.
- Olotun (50kg) = ₦38,000 – ₦42,000
- Olotun (25kg) = ₦16,000 – ₦21,500
- Butter Beans (50kg) = ₦40,000
- Butter Beans (25kg) = ₦19,500
- White Beans (50kg) = ₦42,000
- Brown Beans (50kg) = ₦41,000
Costs of Bag of Beans in North Central
All pertinent indicators show that the North Central region has some of the lowest bean prices nationwide. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, the cost of white beans continues to range between ₦35,000 and ₦37,000. This suggests a substantial decline from a high price of ₦39,000 per unit.
Similar to the green specie, the price of the brown specie is still between ₦35,000 and ₦38,000, a substantial drop from its peak price of ₦41,000. Similar price structures may be found in other North Central states including Kogi, Niger, Nassarawa, Kwara, Plateau, and Benue.
Costs of Bag of Beans in North East
In the North East, a variety of variables have a significant impact on bean prices. Prices sharply increased at the height of boko haram activity in states like Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno, which discreetly reverberated across the whole nation.
It’s crucial to remember that most of the beans consumed in Nigeria are from the North East. The North East benefits from both being a large producer of the crop of legumes and from somewhat cheaper pricing.
In certain north-eastern regions, a 100 kilogram bag of white beans costs between ₦72,000 and ₦84,000. Yet, some locations have prices as high as ₦67,000. According to reports, brown beans cost between ₦63,000 and ₦66,000 and as much as ₦77,000 in some places.
Costs of Bag of Beans in North West
The North West zones observed a little decrease in bean prices from their prior peak values. Over the holiday season, prices rose sharply, but as the new year dawned, the price per bag began to fall.
A 100kg bag of white beans is presently selling for between ₦64,000 and ₦66,000 in Kaduna, which is a little decrease from the top of ₦67,500. Similar to the green variant, the price of the brown version is now between ₦65,000 and ₦66,000, which is a somewhat lower price than ₦80,000.
The states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kano in the North West also have comparable pricing structures. It is crucial to note that while the Dawanau grain market exists and affects grain prices nationally, prices in Kano might differ dramatically.
Costs of Bag of Beans in South-South
The majority of the food consumed in Nigeria comes from the northern area, which does not produce a lot of agricultural goods. This implies that when merchants offer their goods, the transportation expense is taken into account.
The cost of a 100kg bag of white beans decreased by 13% from its top price of ₦80,000 using Delta state as a benchmark. Nowadays, the cost of white beans ranges from ₦64,000 to ₦66,000. The price of the brown specie decreased as well, and it is now valued between ₦66,000 and ₦68,000, which is a big decrease from its high price of ₦83,000.
Akwa Ibom, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta are more states with comparable pricing structures.
Costs of Bag of Beans in South West
Bean prices in the South West region are undoubtedly among the highest in the nation. The most expensive cities in the nation are Lagos in particular.
The price in the South West is, however, declining, just like it is in every other location. A 100 kilogram bag of white beans costs between ₦66,000 and ₦69,000 in Lagos at the moment. A 100 kilogram bag of brown beans costs between ₦68,000 and ₦80,000, which is significantly less than the previous top price of ₦88,000.
Yet the market in the South West is complicated. In Oyo state, there are some pricing differences. Brown beans sell for between ₦66,000 and ₦68,000 per 100 kilogram bag right now, down from the previous top of ₦82,000. In Ekiti state, prices on the open market are a little less expensive.
Costs of Bag of Beans in South East
Food products like beans are not an exception to the South East’s status as a major economic hub for a variety of goods. Yet, this does not always mean that bean prices will drop much.
A 100kg bag of white beans typically sells for between ₦64,000 and ₦67,000 in Anambra State, while the brown variety costs, on average, ₦66,500.
Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, and Enugu are other south-eastern states with comparable price patterns.