Shukurah Sulaimon

Why does cassava price fluctuate? Why can cassava prices change so much? It's not always because farmers are producing too much. Cassava prices are influenced by the relationship between supply and demand and by how efficiently the value chain can move that supply to where it is needed. When a large volume of cassava reaches the market but there isn't enough processing capacity, buyer demand, aggregation or efficient transportation to absorb it, farmers can face falling prices. On the other hand, when supply is limited while processors and buyers are actively competing for cassava, prices can rise. And because fresh cassava is highly time sensitive, farmers don't always have the luxury of waiting for a better price after harvest. So the real question becomes: How do we create a value chain where supply, buyers, processing capacity and logistics are better coordinated?

Cassava can be abundant and still be difficult to sell profitably. Recent reports from parts of Oyo and Ogun have highlighted significant pressure on fresh cassava prices, with some reports putting prices around ₦60,000 per tonne in some areas. But here's the question: