Ban on frozen turkey, chicken sends prices up

The enforcement of the import ban on frozen turkey and chicken has sent the prices of the items up by more than 35% in Lagos major markets.
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. At Dopemu and Agege main markets, a kilo of the turkey goes for N1,150 from N750, while chicken sells for N1,050 from N650.

A visit to cold stores in Ayangburen, Sabo, Obale and Ejino markets in Ikorodu showed that only few of them had the items. At the Iyana Ipaja area of the state, only one cold store had the products in stock and it was sold at N1, 100 per kilo.

Federal government banned the importation of frozen chicken and turkey in 2003 but the ban was not enforced. 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.