By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its “Selected Food Prices Watch” report for April 2024, highlighting a significant rise in the prices of staple foods such as rice, garri, tomatoes, beans, and yams.
According to the NBS report, the average price of 1kg of local rice surged by 155.93% from N546.76 in April 2023 to N1,399.34 in April 2024. On a month-on-month basis, this price increased by 3.47% from N1,340.74 in March 2024. Similarly, the average price of 1kg of white garri rose by 134.98% year-on-year, reaching N851.81 in April 2024, up from N362.50 in April 2023, and saw a 13.59% month-on-month increase from N749.89 in March 2024.
The price of 1kg of tomatoes also witnessed a steep rise, increasing by 131.58% from N485.10 in April 2023 to N1,123.41 in April 2024. Month-on-month, the price rose by 17.06% from N959.68 in March 2024. The average price of 1kg of brown beans climbed by 125.43% year-on-year from N615.65 to N1,387.90, with a 12.44% month-on-month increase from N1,234.40 in March 2024. The price of a 1kg yam tuber jumped by 154.19% year-on-year from N444.69 to N1,130.37, and by 5.76% month-on-month from N1,068.78 in March 2024.
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The report provided a detailed state-by-state analysis, showing Niger had the highest average price for 1kg of local rice at N1,785.47, while Benue recorded the lowest at N993.72. For white garri, Bayelsa had the highest price at N1,095.26, and Benue the lowest at N494.47. Delta recorded the highest price for tomatoes at N1,851.19, with Zamfara having the lowest at N547.22. Abuja saw the highest average price for brown beans at N2,288.36, while Yobe had the lowest at N818.03. The highest price for yams was in Cross River at N1,797.15, with the lowest in Bauchi at N638.64.
Regional analysis revealed that the South-West had the highest average price for 1kg of local rice at N1,615.21, followed by the South-South at N1,564.85, with the North-West recording the lowest at N1,163.13. The South-South and South-West had the highest prices for white garri at N1,031.19 and N982.42, respectively, while the North-West had the lowest at N681.77. For tomatoes, the South-South recorded the highest price at N1,689.40, followed by the South-West at N1,429.06, with the North-West having the lowest at N615.54. The highest prices for brown beans were in the North-Central and South-South at N1,594.84 and N1,579.64, respectively, with the North-West recording the lowest at N966.90.
This comprehensive report by the NBS underscores the ongoing inflationary pressures on essential food items, reflecting broader economic challenges faced by Nigeria.
