Residents of Bauchi have expressed concern over the rising cost of yam, occasioned by high demand.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria at Muda Lawal market in the metropolis, on Monday, showed that prices had gone up by over 50 per cent in the past six weeks.

Prices of the commodity indicated a sprawling increase in spite of the fresh supplies from the farms.

A basket of yam of 100 tubers was sold between N120,000 and N150,000, while a tuber costs between N500 and N1,500, depending on its size.

A consumer, Deborah Audu, said that the high cost of yam was causing a heavy drain on her pockets.

However, Umar Usman, a yam seller, said that prices were moving up amid the high patronage of the commodity in the area.

Mr Usman said that yam prices had increased by over 50 per cent in the past six weeks, adding that a big size tuber of yam now costs N1,500 as against its old prices of N1,000.

“In the last two months the price was a bit down,” he said, adding that prices would further go up in view of the growing demand for the produce in the area.

Aliyu Sabana and Ahmadu Pullo, who are also sellers, corroborated earlier opinions, saying that yam was being supplied to the state from Plateau.

The sellers noted that the supply had ceased from other yam producing areas, and also attributed the hike in prices to the high cost of transportation.

(NAN)