Prices of cowpea and beans in Nigeria have fallen dramatically in 2025, offering much-needed relief to traders and consumers alike. As of now, a 100kg bag sells for between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000, down sharply from a staggering ₦210,000 to ₦240,000 in 2024. This steep decline has been attributed to a bumper harvest and favourable cultivation conditions.

This significant update came from Kabir Shuaibu, President of the Cowpea and Beans Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (C&BFPMAN), during an interview where he emphasized how improved yields have radically changed the market dynamics.

Record Harvest Restores Market Balance

According to Shuaibu, the price drop is a direct result of a massive increase in output across major producing regions in the North. Farmers, he said, harvested up to ten times more than in previous years, thanks to good weather, better farming strategies, and timely planting.

“Right now, a 100kg bag of beans costs between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000, depending on the species. At this same time last year, because of poor harvests, that same bag sold for up to ₦240,000,” he explained.

He further noted that farmers planted beans alongside corn, which significantly increased yield per hectare. In some cases, farmers who usually expected 10,000 bags from large-scale farms exceeded this figure by nearly threefold, further boosting national supply and easing prices.

Past Crisis and Present Recovery

Shuaibu recalled the 2024 price surge as unprecedented. “Last year’s price spike was unlike anything we’d seen in a decade. Flooding wiped out farms, and yields dropped catastrophically. Some farmers planted hectares of beans but harvested almost nothing. That drove prices to record highs.”

Thankfully, 2025 has reversed that trend. This season’s yield surge has stabilized supply, enabling prices to retreat. “This is a good sign for both farmers and consumers,” Shuaibu added. “We hope this level of productivity continues in subsequent seasons.”

Traders Confirm the Decline

Market players have echoed Shuaibu’s observations. Mrs. Esther Umeileka, Managing Director of Fresh2Home Ltd and a major beans wholesaler, highlighted that reduced pest attacks also played a key role in the 2025 price correction.

“Last year, insect and weevil infestations devastated our stock. But this year, with better management and fewer infestations, our harvest is safe and large. The market is well supplied, and prices have fallen significantly,” she stated.

At Oyingbo Market in Lagos, another trader, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the drop in wholesale prices has quickly translated into retail relief for everyday Nigerians.

“Last year, a paint bucket of beans sold for ₦13,000 to ₦14,000. Today, it’s between ₦6,000 and ₦7,000. Buyers who used to price and walk away can now buy comfortably for their families,” Ahmed noted.

Consumers Feel the Relief

In Lagos and across the country, households are welcoming the return of affordability for beans—a dietary staple in most homes.

Mrs. Tonia Sanwo, a Lagos resident, shared how dire the situation was in 2024. “We were paying up to ₦2,500 for a small derica cup. It was unbearable. Now, that same derica sells for just ₦800 to ₦1,000 depending on the type. Honestly, we never imagined the price would drop again.”

Another consumer, Mrs. Favour Braye, a civil servant, pointed to improved security in farming regions as a key factor behind the price drop. “Last year, farmers were afraid to return to their farms because of insecurity. That led to poor harvests. This year, the situation improved, and now we’re seeing the results—more beans and lower prices.”

She emphasized that this affordability is especially critical in a time of general economic strain. “Beans are essential in our diet. For many families, this price drop means they can feed their children properly again.”

Government Policies and Farmer Strategy Pay Off

In addition to better weather and improved security, farmers and traders have also credited adaptive agricultural practices and policy compliance as factors supporting the bumper harvest.

Umeileka noted that some adjustments to government agricultural guidelines and farming incentives helped farmers plant more efficiently. “The results are clear. Farmers were better prepared this year, and the harvest reflects that.”

Shuaibu also highlighted how farmers incorporated intercropping techniques, planting cowpeas alongside other crops to maximize land use and improve yield. “That strategy really paid off. Our fields were more productive without requiring extra land or input.”

Looking Ahead: Sustainability Is Key

While the current situation is positive, experts caution that sustaining this success will require consistent investment in:

• Climate-resilient agriculture

• Access to pest-resistant seed varieties

• Post-harvest storage systems

• Improved rural infrastructure and irrigation

Shuaibu warned, “We cannot afford to slip back. Last year’s disaster should remain a lesson. To prevent another spike, we must maintain high production levels and keep improving our cultivation practices.”

The association also urged the government to provide access to low-interest loans for smallholder farmers and expand storage facilities to avoid wastage during surplus periods.

Conclusion

The steep drop in cowpea and beans prices in 2025 comes as a welcome development for Nigerian consumers and a validation of improved agricultural performance. Thanks to better weather, increased security, innovative farming, and fewer pest infestations, the sector has managed to recover from a crisis that shook household food budgets in 2024.

If these trends continue and receive institutional support, Nigeria’s food security can improve significantly, offering stability to millions of households and strengthening the economy from the grassroots up.