The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its latest selected food price watch report for April 2026, revealing mixed trends in staple food prices. While some items recorded year-on-year declines, others saw monthly increases.
Year-on-Year Price Declines
According to the report, the average price of 1kg of tomatoes stood at N1,177.92 in April 2026, representing an 8.23% decline compared to N1,283.57 in April 2025. However, on a month-on-month basis, tomato prices rose by 6.60% from N1,105.03 in March 2026.
Similarly, the average price of 1kg of brown beans decreased significantly by 44.89% year-on-year to N1,338.93, down from N2,429.39 in April 2025. Month-on-month, beans prices edged up by 0.99% from N1,325.85 in March 2026.
The average price of 1kg of white garri (sold loose) fell by 39.86% year-on-year to N808.96 in April 2026, compared with N1,345.10 in the same period last year. On a monthly basis, garri prices increased by 0.93% from N801.66 in March 2026.
Onion bulbs (1kg) also saw a year-on-year decline of 22.56%, with the average price dropping to N1,164.39 from N1,503.56 in April 2025. Month-on-month, onion prices fell by 0.98% from N1,153.16 in March 2026.
Ginger Prices Rise
Unlike most food items, the average price of fresh ginger (1kg) increased both year-on-year and month-on-month. Ginger prices rose by 12.30% year-on-year and by 0.73% month-on-month, selling for N5,581.82 in April 2026.
State-Level Price Variations
The report highlighted significant disparities in food prices across states. For tomatoes, the highest average price was recorded in Bayelsa at N1,600.73 per kg, while the lowest was in Plateau at N730.48. Brown beans were most expensive in Oyo at N1,938.91 per kg and cheapest in Taraba at N750.00. White garri prices ranged from N517.94 in Plateau to N1,075.47 in Abia. Onion bulbs were highest in Abia at N2,191.63 per kg and lowest in Nasarawa at N832.16.
Regional Breakdown
Regionally, the average price of tomatoes was highest in the South-South (N1,561.10) and South-East (N1,379.57), while the North-West recorded the cheapest at N822.72. For beans, the South-West had the highest average price at N1,787.09, followed by the South-South at N1,764.99, while the North-East recorded the lowest at N871.79. In the garri market, the South-East and South-South regions sold for N944.58 and N944.01 respectively, with the North-Central recording the cheapest at N673.88. Ginger prices were highest in the South-West (N6,812.92) and South-East (N6,432.15), while the North-East remained the cheapest at N3,881.12.
These price movements indicate an annual deflation in most staple foods, though localized inflation persists in certain markets.
