The ban on frozen turkey and chicken has sent the prices of the items up by more than 35 per cent in major markets in Lagos. A survey by NAN at Mile 12 and Ijora markets showed that a carton of turkey now sells for N11,000 from N7,500, while chicken goes for N9,500 from N6,500.
NAN recalls that the Federal Government banned the importation of frozen chicken, turkey in 2003 but since then the items have never ceased to exist in Nigerian markets. On July 7, the Nigeria Customs Service flagged off a fresh enforcement of the ban. The new measures seem to have a bite following the soaring price of the items barely nine days after the fresh campaign by the customs.
We hope the government would create a form of intervention so that those that are trading in this frozen food business will be encouraged to take up livestock production and also help boost the economy.