The Cowpea and Beans Farmers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (C&BFPMAN) has strongly denied allegations that its members use cement to preserve beans.

The clarification comes after a viral video on social media showed some boys mixing beans with what appeared to be cement, sparking public outrage.

How beans are really preserved

Speaking in Lagos, the association’s National President, Kabir Shuaibu, said no legitimate farmer or processor would risk consumer health or market trust with such “harmful and absurd practices.”

“It is common sense that the use of cement for bean preservation would be easily detected, and no consumer will patronise us. We will never engage in such harmful practices,” Shuaibu said.

According to Shuaibu, Nigerian bean farmers now rely on airtight nylon-lined sacks, which prevent insect infestation without harmful additives.

“We stopped using additives some time ago. The beans are packaged in thick nylon bags inside sacks, which make them airtight and safe for long-term storage,” he explained.

He noted that some farmers also use dried peppers or a mild, internationally accepted additive known as Topstoxin to keep away weevils from old stock. The methods, he said, are “safe, cost-effective, and in line with international best practices.”

Prices drop across Nigerian markets

Beyond dispelling the cement-preservation claims, farmers highlighted that bean prices have recently dropped in many Nigerian markets due to good harvests and improved preservation methods.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, market surveys show that a 100kg bag of beans now sells for between N85,000 and N95,000, down from as high as N120,000 earlier this year.

Traders attribute the fall not only to better supply but also to reduced wastage caused by insect damage.

This comes as part of a broader decline in food prices, especially staples like rice.

The end of government import waivers has stabilised rice markets, with a 50kg bag of local rice now averaging N55,000 to N58,000, compared to N65,000 in July.

Analysts say these combined drops could help cool inflationary pressures on households already stretched by high fuel costs and rising rents.

Building trust in local produce

For farmers, the cement controversy highlighted the urgent need to rebuild public trust in local produce.

“We want Nigerians to know that we take food safety very seriously. Our methods meet international standards, and our goal is to make beans affordable, safe, and export-ready,” Shuaibu said.

With beans and rice leading a wider fall in food prices, consumers may be in for more relief in the coming months—if harvests remain strong and supply chains stable.