Onions are among the most-consumed food products in Nigeria. We use these ingredients to garnish all kinds of foods from local to intercontinental dishes. It is no secret that onions have a very high demand in Nigeria. This is one of the reasons why the price of onions seems to fluctuate very often.
How much do onions cost in Nigeria today? Several factors determine the prices of onions, from your location to the season of the year and the vendor. In this post, we will answer this question and also tell you a little more about onions.
Current Prices of Onions in Nigeria
As of August 2021, a 100kg bag of onions sells for anything from N95,000 in Kaduna, which is one of the places where you can get onions at the cheapest prices.
The Northern States are known for cultivating onions. Because of this, onions seem to be a lot cheaper in the North than in the South. However, in recent times, the price of onions has sky-rocketed due to several reasons.
The prices above also apply to the other Northern States where onions are cultivated. These States include Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, etc. Onions get costlier as you move down South.
Note that these prices may change due to several factors. Some of these factors include season, festivities, location, vendor, and market forces.
PRICES LAST UPDATED: MARCH 11, 2024.
Where to Purchase Onions in Bulk in Nigeria
If you want to start dealing in onions, you need to purchase onions in bulk. The challenge here is that you cannot purchase onions in bulk from just any market. If you are domiciled in the South, for example, it will be unwise to purchase from your region. Although, there are a few markets in the South where you can purchase onions in bulk. However, they are not as affordable as what you will get from the North.
For the best prices of bulk onions in Nigeria, we suggest that you visit the markets in any of these locations:
- Kano
- Kaduna
- Sokoto
- Jos
At these locations, you can even meet up with the farmers and purchase directly before they get to the market. This way, you will purchase your onions at cheaper prices. What if you cannot make it to these locations? You can purchase from any of these other markets:
- Bodija market, Ibadan.
- Igbudu market, Delta.
- Nkwo Nnewi market, Enugu.
- Gombe main market, Gombe.
Types of Onions to Buy in Nigeria
Many of us only know the type of onions in our markets by looks. We don’t know about their nutritional value or characteristics. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to know what onions to purchase, when to purchase them, and how to store them. In this section, we will discuss some of the common types of onions you can find in Nigerian markets.
Red onions
These are the most popular onions on the market. They range in colour from red to purple. These onions have a pungent smell and are quite spicy. People use them for garnishing foods like rice and eggs. We also add them to soups and salads to make them colourful and tasty.
White onions
White onions are quite similar to yellow onions in looks. There is just a slight colour difference. Where the major difference lies in their taste and makeup. White onions are crispier than their yellow counterparts. They are also sweeter and come with a cleaner, more distinct flavour profile. You can use white onions in sandwiches, pizza, salads, and other foods.
Sweet yellow onion
One marked characteristic of the sweet yellow onion is its flavour. Unlike most onion species, it has a mild flavour accompanied by a unique sweetness. The skin is thin and paper-like. These onions are quite versatile as you can use them for a variety of purposes. From stews to soups and even burgers.
Scallions
Scallions also have a mild taste even though it is different from that of the sweet yellow onion. Due to its taste, you can use the scallion for several purposes. Despite having a different taste, this onion’s major uniqueness lies in its anatomy. It is green towards the top while it has a white bottom. Scallions are similar to spring onions in looks but crunchier in the mouth. This is why they are regarded as the best for pasta and stir-fries.
Spring onions
Spring onions are also quite common in our markets even though they are seasonal in most parts. These onions are basically young. What this means is that they are regular onions that were harvested early. As such, they can be red, yellow, or white. They come with the main onion bulb and the green leafy part. Spring onions are great for garnishing any kind of food.
