The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the prices of essential food items such as rice, garri, tomatoes, beans, and yams increased in April 2024.

This information was detailed in the NBS’s Selected Food Prices Watch report for April 2024, released in Abuja on Friday.

The report highlighted a significant price increase in local rice. The average price for 1kg of local rice rose by 155.93% from N546.76 in April 2023 to N1,399.34 in April 2024. “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of local rice increased by 3.47% in April from N1,340.74 in March 2024,” the report stated.

White garri also saw a substantial price hike. The average price for 1kg of white garri went up by 134.98% from N362.50 in April 2023 to N851.81 in April 2024. “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of white garri increased by 13.59% from N749.89 in March 2024,” the report added.

Tomato prices followed the same trend. The average price for 1kg of tomatoes increased by 131.58%, rising from N485.10 in April 2023 to N1,123.41 in April 2024. “On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 17.06% from N959.68 in March 2024,” the report said.

The cost of brown beans saw a significant rise as well. The average price for 1kg of brown beans rose by 125.43% from N615.65 in April 2023 to N1,387.90 in April 2024. “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of brown beans increased by 12.44% from N1,234.40 in March 2024 to N1,387.90 in April 2024,” according to the NBS.

Yam prices also surged. The average price for 1kg of yam tuber increased by 154.19%, from N444.69 in April 2023 to N1,130.37 in April 2024. “On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 5.76% from N1,068.78 in March 2024 to N1,130.37 in April 2024,” the report noted.

The report also provided a state-by-state analysis of food prices. In April 2024, the highest average price for 1kg of local rice was recorded in Niger at N1,785.47, while the lowest was in Benue at N993.72. Bayelsa had the highest average price for 1kg of white garri at N1,095.26, while Benue again recorded the lowest at N494.47.

Delta had the highest average price for 1kg of tomatoes at N1,851.19, with the lowest price in Zamfara at N547.22. The highest average price for 1kg of brown beans was recorded in Abuja at N2,288.36, while Yobe had the lowest at N818.03. Cross River had the highest average price for 1kg of yam tuber at N1,797.15, and Bauchi had the lowest at N638.64.

By region, 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. The North-West recorded the lowest price at N1,163.13. The South-South and South-West also had the highest average prices for 1kg of 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 had the highest average price at N1,689.40, followed by the South-West at N1,429.06. The North-West recorded the lowest price at N615.54. For brown beans, the North-Central and South-South had the highest average prices at N1,594.84 and N1,579.64, respectively, while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N966.90.

The rise in food prices is a concern for many Nigerians, affecting their daily cost of living and access to basic necessities.