Nigeria: The price of tomatoes has surged by 321% in one year, as have other food items

Food prices have continued to increase as Nigeria's headline inflation hit 34.19% in June 2024, one of the highest globally.

NBS's monthly survey for the average prices of selected food items in Nigeria as of June 2024 shows that tomatoes have gone up by 321%, yam by 296%, and staples — beans, rice, and plantain — have also seen significant increases. These are the top ten food items most hit by inflation in Nigeria in the past twelve months.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

June 2024
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Nigeria’s food inflation has risen every month since January 2026, climbing 8.07 percentage points to 16.96% in May
  • Nigeria’s year-on-year food inflation rose for the fourth consecutive month, from 8.89% in January 2026 to 16.96% in May.
  • The rate increased by 8.07 percentage points within the first five months of 2026.
  • May’s 16.96% rate means food prices were, on average, 16.96% higher than they were in May 2025.
  • Food inflation rose from 12.12% in February to 14.31% in March and 16.06% in April before reaching 16.96% in May.
  • Food inflation exceeded Nigeria’s 15.93% headline inflation rate in May, showing that food was a major source of renewed pressure on household expenses.
Among 44 African countries, Nigeria's 16.96% food inflation in May 2026 was lower only than that of Libya and Malawi
  • Nigeria recorded the third-highest food inflation rate among 44 African countries in May 2026.
  • At 16.96%, Nigeria’s rate was lower only than Libya and Malawi, both at 17.6%.
  • Nigeria’s food inflation was nearly 3.5 times the 4.88% average across the countries covered.
  • Eight of the ten countries with the highest food inflation recorded rates above 10%.
Every food item tracked has at least doubled in price since May 2023
  • Every comparable food item tracked is now at least twice as expensive as it was in May 2023.
  • Nearly half of the selected food items have more than tripled in price since the month before fuel subsidy removal.
  • Unripe plantain recorded the steepest increase, rising by 469% between May 2023 and April 2026.
  • Ripe plantain, yam tuber, and fresh tilapia also saw extreme increases of more than 300%.
  • Even the slowest-rising staples, including frozen chicken, beans, gari, and maize, still more than doubled in price.
Healthy diet costs rose fastest in Nigeria’s North-West over two years
  • Healthy diet costs rose 49% nationally in two years.
  • North-West states recorded the fastest increases.
  • All seven North-West states rose above the national average.
  • Katsina and Kogi recorded the steepest increases, at 98%.
  • Akwa Ibom had the lowest increase, at 5%.
One adult’s monthly healthy diet takes two-thirds of minimum wage
  • One adult’s healthy diet takes 66% of Nigeria’s minimum wage.
  • The national average monthly cost is about ₦46,230 per adult.
  • Ekiti has the highest burden, at 90% of minimum wage.
  • Six states require over 80% of minimum wage for one adult’s healthy diet.
  • Adamawa has the lowest burden, at 43%.
Osun (₦1,867), the state with the highest CoHD is ₦640 more expensive than the lowest CoHD state, Kaduna (₦1,227)
  • Osun (₦1,867) has the highest CoHD, while Kaduna (₦1,227) has the lowest, a gap of ₦640.
  • The national average CoHD stood at ₦1,495 as of December 2024.
  • Southern states, particularly in the South West, record the highest diet costs.
  • Northern states dominate the list of the most affordable places to eat healthy.
  • Rising costs in urban centres like Lagos (₦1,702) and Rivers (₦1,780) reflect the impact of logistics and inflation.
  • The ₦640 state gap shows inequality in dietary access, which can deepen nutrition and welfare disparities.
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