Prices of key food commodities including tomatoes, beans, garri, onions, ginger and palm oil recorded month-on-month increases in April 2026, indicating renewed pressure on household food budgets despite significant year-on-year declines in several staple items, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The latest Selected Food Prices Watch report released by the NBS on Tuesday showed that while food prices generally remained below levels recorded a year ago, monthly increases across several major staples indicate inflationary pressures persist within Nigeria’s food supply chain.
Tomatoes recorded the highest monthly increase among major staples tracked by the bureau. The average retail price of one kilogramme rose by 6.6 percent to N1,177.92 in April from N1,104.85 in March.
Despite the monthly increase, tomato prices remained lower than levels recorded a year earlier. The NBS reported that the average price of one kilogramme of tomatoes declined by 8.23 percent from N1,283.57 in April 2025.
The rise in tomato prices is likely to be closely watched by consumers and policymakers given the commodity’s importance in Nigerian households and its significant contribution to food inflation trends.
Brown beans, another staple consumed across the country, also recorded a monthly increase. The average price rose by 0.99 percent to N1,338.93 per kilogramme in April from N1,325.85 in March.
However, the annual comparison presents a markedly different picture. The commodity’s price fell by 44.89 percent from N2,429.39 recorded in April last year, reflecting improved supply conditions and a moderation in some food commodity prices compared to the peak inflationary period of 2025.
White garri, one of Nigeria’s most widely consumed cassava products, increased by 0.93 percent month-on-month to N808.96 per kilogramme from N801.54 in March. On an annual basis, the commodity experienced a substantial decline of 39.86 percent compared with N1,345.10 recorded in April 2025.
Onion prices also edged higher during the review period. The average price of one kilogramme increased by 0.98 percent to N1,164.39 in April from N1,153.14 in March. Year-on-year, however, onion prices declined by 22.56 percent from N1,503.56.
Fresh ginger was among the few commodities that recorded increases on both monthly and annual bases. The average retail price rose by 0.73 percent month-on-month to N5,581.82 per kilogram from N5,541.25 in March.
Compared with the corresponding period in 2025, ginger prices increased by 12.3 percent from N4,970.66, highlighting continued supply constraints and strong demand for the commodity.
Palm oil prices remained relatively stable during the month, increasing marginally by 0.12 percent to N2,396.32 per litre from N2,393.38 in March. On a yearly basis, the commodity posted a 4.77 percent increase.
The NBS report also revealed significant disparities in food prices across states, reflecting variations in transportation costs, local production levels, market access and supply chain efficiency.
Bayelsa State recorded the highest average price for tomatoes at N1,600.73 per kilogram, more than double the N730.48 recorded in Plateau State, which posted the lowest average price nationwide.
For brown beans, Oyo State recorded the highest average price at N1,938.91 per kilogram, while Taraba State had the lowest price at N750.
White garri was most expensive in Abia State, where consumers paid an average of N1,075.47 per kilogramme. Plateau State recorded the lowest average price at N517.94.
Abia also emerged as one of the most expensive states for onions, recording the highest average price at over N2,100 per kilogramme, while Kwara and Nasarawa states posted some of the lowest prices nationally.
Palm oil prices similarly varied significantly across the country. Ekiti State recorded the highest average retail price at N2,819.09 per bottle, while Abia posted the lowest average price at N2,024.41.
Regional analysis by geopolitical zones further highlighted the uneven distribution of food costs across Nigeria.
The South-South zone recorded the highest average price of tomatoes at N1,561.10 per kilogram, followed by the South-East at N1,379.57. The North-West offered the most affordable tomatoes, with an average price of N822.72.
For brown beans, the South-West and South-South emerged as the most expensive regions, recording average prices of N1,787.09 and N1,764.99 respectively. The North-East recorded the lowest average price at N871.79.
The South-East and South-South also posted the highest average prices for white garri at N944.58 and N944.01 respectively, while the North-Central zone recorded the lowest average price at N673.88.
Onion prices followed a similar pattern, with the South-East emerging as the most expensive region at N1,735.53 per kilogramme, followed by the South-South at N1,268.96. The North-Central recorded the lowest average price at N911.40.
Fresh ginger exhibited the widest regional price disparity. The South-West recorded the highest average price at N6,812.92 per kilogram, followed by the South-East at N6,432.15. By contrast, the North-East recorded the lowest average price at N881.12.
The latest food price data suggest that although Nigeria has witnessed notable moderation in annual food inflation for several staples compared with the elevated levels seen in 2025, month-on-month increases across key commodities indicate that food affordability remains a challenge for many households.
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