Inside the rice price dispute
The federal government and rice processors have disagreed on how much milled rice should cost in the country. The government argues that the current rice price, which falls between N60,000 and N67,000 for every 50 kilograms bag, is excessive and should be reduced to what it described as a more reasonable range of N55,000 to […]
The federal government and rice processors in Nigeria have been in dispute regarding the appropriate price for milled rice. The government contends that the current price range of N60,000 to N67,000 for a 50 kg bag is excessively high and should be reduced to between N55,000 and N57,000. Key figures in the meeting, held on October 6, 2026, included Agriculture and Food Security Minister Senator Abubakar Kyari, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Permanent Secretary Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, and the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) President Mohammed Abubakar Mai Fata.
During the meeting, tensions were palpable as accusations and counter-accusations were made over the market price of milled rice. The government's claims emphasized that the average production cost for a bag of rice is N49,389.23, making the current market price "too high and indiscriminate." However, RIPAN President Mohammed Abubakar Mai Fata expressed his frustration, stating that importation by some groups was adversely affecting millers in the country and undermining efforts to develop the local industry.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
