Economic Hardship: Nigerians Shun Indomie Noodles As Prices Soar

Some Nigerian parents on Friday said that they have cut Indomie noodles from their household menu as its price continues to increase.

In separate interviews with journalists, they said their children’s favourite fast food was becoming unaffordable, hence the need for them to look for an alternative.

Hauwa Bakari, a mother and a teacher, said she used to prepare noodles for her children to take to school every Friday and to Islamic school on Sundays.

“The last carton we bought before the increase was N6,000 for Indomie noodles, and by the time I went to get the same item after two weeks, it had increased to N8,400,” she stated.

Ms Bakari, who said noodles have become a luxury for the ordinary Nigerian, said the price for the medium-sized Indomie is reportedly N18,000 while Minimie now goes for N16,000 per carton.

“I know it is one of my children’s favourite foods, but with how things are going, I cannot afford it, so they have to eat whatever is available at home,’’ she said.

Kemi Samuel, a mother of four, said she has decided to cut off noodles from her list of groceries because it now looks like a waste of resources and unnecessary.

Ms Samuel said she would buy and cook more spaghetti with enough vegetables for the family instead of using so much money on noodles that digest in no time.

She said the decision was timely since her children depended too much on noodles as they were easy to make.

Rose Yakubu, a student, however, said the high cost of noodles would not deter her from eating it.

Ms Yakubu said she liked the food, not because it was easy and fast to prepare, but because it saved her from buying other food ingredients to cook a proper meal.

“If I have to cook rice, for instance, I will have to buy oil, meat or fish, seasonings, and vegetables, which I may not have enough money for,’’ she said.

A shop owner, Shefiyu Abubakar, said that only a few people can afford noodles from his shop anymore.

He attributed this to the increase in the commodity’s price and the fact that many would prefer to buy other foodstuffs.

Mr Abubakar said the Hungryman Indomie pack is between N18,000 and N19,000 per carton, while the smallest size sells for N10,500.

“These prices were far lower in January and suddenly increased because of the inflation in the country,” Mr Abubakar added.