Dry season in Nigeria: Foods in abundance | What to buy?

There are times when you go to the market to buy food stuffs and you notice the abundance of a specific food on display at  the market. Yeah that. It is referred to as in-season food or seasonal food. 

The thought of why it is in abundance now than it was within the year at the market may possibly cross your mind.

Due to advanced farming system in the agricultural sector over the years, it has been made possible to buy food stuffs at any given time of the year wheather the food is in-season or not. Quite a different case back in the olden days when people got to eat only what the season provided. 

But nevertheless, the agricultural sector still rely on seasons for a better farm produce. 

In-season foods grow in its natural frequency, the soil and weather is very favorable for its cultivation and harvesting. The outcome is usually a fresher, healthier variety of foods. Less expensive due to mass production and competition to sell-out.

Indeed, a very good time to save money and buy foods in bulk. Compared to buying within the year when the price is twice the amount for a lesser quantity. 

The last time I went food shopping at the market. I made use of the opportunity to hear from the food sellers on their take on the topic. So let's have a look. 

-Plaintain: perfect timing to eat this beautiful bunch. Sweet varieties available this period. In abundance, good quality and quantity at an attractive price.

-Carrot: available and more sweeter during this period.

-Oranges - best harvesting period, weather favors ripening. Sweeter varieties at an affordable price.

-Africa cherry/udala/agbalumo- I call this the queen of the dry season. You can't see this fruit for sale at any time of the year other than during dry season in Nigeria. It is always in adundance with lots of sweet and sour varieties. Goodluck finding sweeter ones.

-Onions-  this period favors its growth and harvest. Mostly grown in the north. Availability and cost may be affected by economic factors and conflicts between regions in the country. 

-African rosewood/Oha leaf- one vegetable that survives perfectly well during the dry season. Always available and at a very attractive price this period. 

-Okazi/Afang leaf- this period favors its harvesting. Both quantity and price are attractive. Usually sold in sliced form as seen below.

-Pawpaw: this period favors its growth, ripening and harvesting. Different sizes at an attractive price. 

Tomatoes- this period favors its growth and harvesting. Grown more in the northern part of Nigeria. Economic factors and conflict between regions may affect its availability in other regions in the country.

 

Sugarcane - grown mostly in the north. Usually sold in wheelbarrows. 

There's definitely more to the list. I will keep this post updated as I come across any. 

The main factor that can affect the availability of these foods are economic factors such as inflation, exchange rate which in turn can affect transportation etc. And also conflict between two or more regions in Nigeria where most of the foods are grown in larger quantities than the other.