The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has on Thursday, reported a significant rise in the prices of essential food items in Nigeria.
The most recent report, which was published on its website and made available to Africa Health Report (AHR) , stated that the average cost of 1 kilogram of local rice rose to ₦1,399.34 last month, marking a 3.47 percent rise from ₦1,340.74 in March.
This marks a year-on-year increase of 155.93 percent from ₦546.76 in April 2023.
Similarly, the average price of 1kg of Garri white, sold loose, surged by 134.98 percent on a year-on-year basis, climbing from ₦362.50 in April 2023 to ₦851.81 in April 2024. On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 13.59 percent from ₦749.89 in March 2024.
Tomato prices also experienced a sharp rise, with the average price of 1kg increasing by 131.58 percent from ₦485.10 in April 2023 to ₦1,123.41 in April 2024. There was a 17.06 percent increase from ₦959.68 in March 2024.
The price of 1kg of brown beans, sold loose, rose by 125.43 percent year-on-year, from ₦615.67 in April 2023 to ₦1,387.90 in April 2024. Month-on-month, the price increased by 12.44 percent.
Additionally, the average price of 1kg of Yam tuber increased by 5.76 percent to ₦1,130.37 in April, up from ₦1,068.78 in March. Year-on-year, the price surged by 154.19 percent, rising from ₦444.69 in April 2023.
The report also pointed out differences in prices across different regions. Niger state had the highest average price for 1kg of local rice at ₦1,785.47, while Benue had the lowest at ₦993.72. Bayelsa had the highest average price for 1kg of Garri white, and Delta had the highest price for 1kg of Tomato. Abuja had the highest average price for 1kg of brown beans, while Yobe had the lowest.
The rate of food inflation in Nigeria has surged to 40.53 percent from the previous year, showing a notable rise in the prices of necessary food products.
