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, Kabir Shuaibu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos.

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

He said this 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 a limited harvest. If there is excessive rainfall, we will still be harvesting beans.

“The harvest period for beans has been over, for almost two to three months now; harvest is over.

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

The president predicted that there would be scarcity of the produce in the coming months due to hoarding by some farmers 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 50 kg bag of beans up North costs around N75,000 to N85,000, while a month ago, the same quantity sold for between N50,000 and 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. 
(NAN)