Food Prices This Week: See Cost Of Rice, Beans, Tomatoes & More

Food prices continue to remain a major concern for households across Nigeria, with the cost of staple foods, cooking ingredients, meat, fish and other essential commodities varying significantly from one market to another.

A review of the latest available market price ranges shows that a 50kg bag of local rice currently sells for about ₦55,000, while the same quantity of foreign rice goes for approximately ₦65,000. Consumers who prefer to purchase imported rice in smaller quantities can get a 25kg bag for around ₦33,000.

Rice remains one of the most widely consumed staples in the country, although prices continue to differ based on the variety, quality, location and prevailing supply conditions.

Beans, another major food staple, are also recording considerable price variations. A 100kg bag of brown beans is currently sold for between ₦85,000 and ₦115,000, while the same quantity of white beans costs between ₦85,000 and ₦125,000. For consumers buying smaller quantities, a Derica measure is priced at between ₦1,000 and ₦1,600.

The prices of fresh food ingredients are similarly influenced by seasonal availability, transportation costs, weather conditions and supply levels. A basket of tomatoes currently sells for between ₦28,000 and ₦45,000, while a big sack of pepper costs between ₦32,000 and ₦60,000. A bag of onions is also priced between ₦60,000 and ₦115,000.

Market observers note that fluctuations in the prices of tomatoes, pepper and onions are often linked to seasonal production, spoilage, transportation challenges and the distance between farming communities and major urban markets.

Vegetable oil also remains relatively expensive, with a 25-litre container selling for between ₦65,000 and ₦95,000. Five litres cost between ₦16,000 and ₦22,000, while one litre is currently sold for approximately ₦3,200 to ₦4,500.

The prices of poultry and meat have also remained varied, largely depending on the size, weight and type of product being purchased. A live broiler chicken currently sells for between ₦10,000 and ₦23,000, while a kilogramme of frozen chicken costs between ₦5,000 and ₦7,500.

Beef and goat meat are currently selling for between ₦7,000 and ₦8,000 per kilogramme, further adding to the cost of protein for households.

Fish prices similarly depend on the species, size, freshness and source. A kilogramme of Titus, commonly known as mackerel, currently sells for between ₦6,000 and ₦7,500, while croaker costs between ₦6,800 and ₦7,500 per kilogramme.

Fresh fish caught and sold on the same day is priced between ₦8,000 and ₦18,000, depending on the type and size.

The prices of stockfish products are considerably higher, with a bag of stockfish head, commonly known as Apama, selling for between ₦350,000 and ₦450,000. A 30kg bag of stockfish fillets costs between ₦850,000 and ₦1.15 million, while stockfish ears are sold for between ₦700,000 and ₦850,000 per bag.

A 30kg bag of stockfish cutlet currently goes for between ₦800,000 and ₦950,000.

The wide variations in the prices of these commodities underscore the pressure facing Nigerian households as consumers continue to contend with changing market conditions and the rising cost of everyday necessities. Actual prices may differ depending on the location, market, quality, quantity and prevailing supply conditions.