Despite claims by the Federal Government that food inflation is on a downward trend, market surveys across major cities have shown that the cost of essential food items remains high, with traders and consumers expressing frustration over the continued economic pressure.

The National Bureau of Statistics, in its June 2025 Consumer Price Index, reported that food inflation slowed to 38.2 per cent, down from 40.66 per cent in May, citing increased food supply and government interventions.

But market realities appear to contradict the data, as buyers and sellers in various states told Sunday PUNCH that prices remained far above pre-May levels, and the impact of the reported inflation drop was not being felt at the grassroots.

A visit to major markets in Lagos, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Anambra, Abuja, Sokoto, Kano, and Kaduna states reveals that prices of staple foods such as rice, beans, yam, tomato, maize, and garri have either remained static or surged in the past two months.

Price hike persists in Lagos, Oyo, Osun

Checks by Sunday PUNCH revealed that prices of essential foodstuffs and household items have continued to rise in major markets in the South-West states.

In Lagos State, visits to markets in Iyana Iba, Ikorodu, and surrounding areas reveal that the price of local parboiled rice rose from N53,000 in May to N77,000 by July.

Also, a 50kg bag of maize that sold for N68,000 in May now goes for N78,000, while a bag of white garri spiked to N60,000.

Tomatoes witnessed one of the steepest spikes in recent months, soaring from N58,500 per basket in May to N110,000 by July.

Onions also saw a steady price hike, rising from N85,000 per bag in May to N100,000 in June, and reaching N140,000 in July.

Beans maintained a high price range, trading at N82,000 in May before easing slightly to N75,000 in June. New tubers of yam now sell between N5,000 and N6,000.

Speaking with our correspondent, a trader at Ikorodu Market, Temitope Maria, lamented the unpredictable nature of the price hikes.

She noted that both sellers and buyers were grappling with the volatility.

?About two months ago, a bag of local parboiled rice sold for about N53,750, but now it has increased to N77,000,? she said.

At Iyana Iba Market, another trader, Mallam Mohammed, attributed the steep hike in tomatoes and pepper to surging transportation costs.

?Pepper and tomatoes are expensive. We don?t buy plenty again because we bring them from the North. That is why customers are complaining whenever they buy from us,? he said.

In Oyo State, visits to two major markets in Ibadan, Gbagi and Bodija, revealed a troubling disparity. While Gbagi Market recorded notable increases in food prices, Bodija showed marginal price drops.

Sunday PUNCH observed that staple food items like rice, yam, beans, and fish had spiked considerably at Gbagi.

Many buyers who spoke with our correspondent decried the instability in market prices, describing the economic trend as disturbing.

In Gbagi, a paint rubber of beans, which sold for N1,200 in May, rose to N3,000 as of Saturday.

A fish seller in the market, Mrs. Olaitan Deborah, recounted the alarming jumps in fish prices.

?We used to sell Sawa fish for N500, now it?s N1,000. A carton of Sawa that sold for N24,000 is now N61,000. Kote fish jumped from N53,000 to N65,000 within four days last week. Titus, once N18,000 per carton, now costs N125,000. Turkey is N58,000 now, up from N30,000,? she said.

Yam sellers also confirmed significant price hikes.

?Those same yam tubers were N2,500 not long ago. Big tubers that were N4,000 are now N7,500, while small ones that sold for N1,500 are now N4,000. Everything has doubled or tripled,? said Mrs. Abduljabar Idayat.

However, some price relief was reported at Bodija Market. A foodstuffs trader, Rasheed Ajani, told our correspondent that a slight drop had been recorded in the prices of rice and beans.

?The price of a bag of rice now is between N80,000 and N81,000. It was between N83,000 and N85,000 before. Beans is now N51,000 per bag?we?ve sold it here before between N60,000 and N75,000,? he said.

In Osun State, however, prices have continued to climb.

Checks by our correspondents at Ota Efun and Igbona markets in Osogbo showed that a 50kg bag of rice had risen to N74,000 as of Saturday.

A bag of red beans sold for N82,000, while white beans went for as high as N120,000.

Speaking with our correspondent, a trader, who simply identified herself as Deborah, said, ?In July, Oloyin (red beans) sold for N77,000 per bag. We sold white beans, that time for N115,000 per bag. Prices of these food items rose again in the last two weeks. We don?t know what exactly is responsible for the spike, but I observe we are not having enough supply into the markets in Osogbo in the last two weeks. ?

Anambra, Imo, Delta residents groan

Residents of Anambra, Imo, and Delta states continue to grapple with the harsh realities of surging food prices, as the cost of essential commodities spikes across major markets in the South-East and South-South, despite national inflation data suggesting a slowdown.

Checks by our correspondents across several markets in the three states revealed widespread frustration among traders and buyers alike, with many blaming the situation on rising transportation costs, unpredictable supply, and poor economic management.

In Anambra State, markets such as Relief Market, Ochanja, Bridge Head in Onitsha, Eke-Awka in Awka, Nkpor near Ogidi, and Nkwo in Nnewi have all seen significant hikes in food prices over the past two months.

According to some traders, prices have jumped by as much as 30 per cent between May and July.

A bag of locally milled rice, which sold for between N38,000 and N45,000 in May, now goes for N55,000 to N65,000, while foreign rice has jumped from N85,000 to between N95,000 and N100,000, depending on the brand.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a rice dealer at Relief Market, Simon Uche, expressed deep concern about the impact of the food crisis on ordinary citizens.

?The government at all levels needs to act urgently. Many families can no longer afford basic food. Hunger is everywhere. Transport costs are killing us. We pay nearly triple now to bring in rice. It?s affecting how we stock and sell,? he said.

At Eke-Awka Market, the price of a family-sized tuber of yam now ranges from N8,000 to N10,000, up from N5,500 to N6,500 in May.

A paint container of tomatoes sells for N6,500, while the price of pepper also remains high, with traders attributing the increase to transport costs from the North, where most of the produce comes from.

Grace Ebube, a trader at the market, explained that many crops are currently between planting and harvest seasons, worsening the scarcity.

?That?s why food is expensive now. People can?t afford to buy much anymore. They just come in to buy small quantities because there?s no money,? she said.

In Delta State, particularly in Asaba, prices remain consistently high across key markets like Oko (Hausa) Market and Ogbogonogo Market.

A paint bucket of tomatoes that sold for N6,000 a few months ago now costs N8,000. Yam prices remain stubbornly high, ranging between N5,000 and N6,000 per tuber, while garri still sells at N3,000 per paint bucket, unchanged despite the start of the harvest season.

A cow dealer at Oko Market, Alhaji Markasa Garba, confirmed that livestock prices have also refused to drop.

?A cow that sold for N1m three months ago is still the same. Nothing has come down,? he said.

At Ogbogonogo Market, a food vendor, Mrs. Beatrice Okonkwo, lamented the high prices, even with the arrival of new crops.

?Normally, when yam, maize, and potatoes start coming out, garri becomes cheaper, but not this time. Tomatoes are now between N7,500 and N8,000 per paint bucket. Beans and rice have dropped only slightly. Beans went from N6,000 to N5,800 per paint,? she stated.

In Imo State, the situation is similar. Food prices have risen sharply over the past few weeks, especially in Owerri.

In early July, a small basket of tomatoes sold for N28,000; today, it sells for N30,000. Sugar has also gone up from N78,500 to N80,000 per bag, while a bag of flour jumped from N55,000 to N65,000.

The cost of rice has surged significantly as well, with traders reporting prices of N90,000 per bag, up from between N70,000 and N80,000 in June and early July.

In contrast, Rivers State appears to offer a rare pocket of relief.

Traders in Port Harcourt said there has been a slight drop in some food prices in recent days, though they acknowledged that the overall cost of living remains high.

Despite regional differences, a common theme runs across the markets: a growing sense of disillusionment and hardship.

Traders and consumers alike are calling for urgent intervention from authorities to address the worsening food crisis that continues to push millions closer to the edge.

Similar hike in Abuja

In Abuja, the nation?s capital, findings by our correspondent on Friday revealed a significant hike in the prices of key food items, further dousing claims of easing food inflation.

A 50kg bag of Nigerian rice now sells for N65,000, while the foreign variant has surged to a staggering N85,000, up from the N54,000 to N60,000 price range recorded in May and June.

Brown beans, previously sold between N80,000 and N82,000, now go for N30,000 per bag, while white beans are pegged at N120,000.

A bag of maize currently costs N60,000, white garri sells for N50,000, and the red variant commands as much as N70,000, marking a sharp rise from the N38,000 it sold for in May.

Tomatoes recorded one of the most dramatic increases. A basket that sold for between N28,000 and N33,000 two months ago has doubled to N65,000.

A small basket of pepper now costs N11,000, while onions in similar quantities go for N7,000.

Yams, a staple for many households, have not been spared. A set of five medium-sized tubers now sells for N30,000, over 50 per cent more than their earlier price.

These market realities sharply contradict recent assurances from government officials who claimed food prices were declining due to ongoing policy reforms and seasonal harvests.

A rice and grain trader at Garki Market, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, confirmed the trend.

?Prices have only gone up. The Nigerian rice we sold at N58,000 in May is now N65,000. Foreign rice has jumped to N85,000. It?s harder to restock because transportation and wholesale costs keep rising,? he said.

Also reacting, a fresh produce seller, Mrs. Rose Eze, dismissed reports of declining food prices.

?In May, I was buying tomato baskets for around N30,000. Now, it?s upwards of N60,000. Even pepper is worse. The small basket that used to go for N5,000 is now N11,000. How can they say prices are coming down?? she queried.

Prices drop in Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue

Meanwhile, while food prices have continued to soar across southern states, some northern regions are witnessing a gradual decline in the cost of key commodities, notably in Kaduna, Sokoto, and Benue.

At the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market, popularly known as Kaduna Central Market, a survey by our correspondent showed notable reductions. A 50kg bag of foreign rice, previously sold for N88,000 to N90,000 in July, now sells for N83,000, while the local variety has dropped from N70,000 to N65,000.

White beans currently go for N130,000 per bag, while the brown variant is sold at N135,000. In smaller quantities, a tier of white beans sells between N1,700 and N1,800, while brown beans cost about N2,000 per tier.

However, not all items are trending downwards. Soya beans have seen a slight uptick, from N80,000 in July to N85,000 in August. A trader identified as Lawal Beans attributed the fluctuation to seasonal factors.

?There was a little drop between June and July, but now soya is going up again. Maybe it?s scarcity or transportation, but we just follow the supply,? he said.

Tomato prices in Kaduna have fallen sharply due to fresh harvests.

The Chairman of the Tomato Sellers? Association, Sani Adam, said the influx of produce has altered market dynamics.

?Before now, a bag of UTC tomatoes went for between N90,000 and N100,000. Today, it?s N50,000,? he said.

Darika tomatoes, which sold for N65,000 to N70,000 three weeks ago, are now priced at N35,000 per bag, while a paint rubber of tomatoes now costs N13,000, down from N15,000.

A basket of cayenne pepper ranges between N4,000 and N5,500, while scotch bonnet pepper is priced at N6,000 per paint rubber.

Despite the general decline, onions remain expensive.

?A bag of onions still goes for around N100,000, while a basket is sold between N13,000 and N15,000,? Adam noted.

For tubers, a basket of Irish potatoes is priced between N4,000 and N6,000, depending on size and quality.

In the grains segment, white garri has dropped to N72,000 per bag, while yellow garri now sells for N78,000 to N80,000.

A tier of white garri, which earlier sold for N1,100, now goes for N950. Yellow garri has dropped from N1,500 to N1,200 per tier.

Trader Shehu Ahmed said he prioritises white garri due to faster turnover.

?Most consumers go for the white garri because it?s cheaper and they?re used to it. The yellow garri is still expensive, and people only buy it when they really want that specific taste.?

Across the market, traders attributed the price relief to the arrival of fresh harvests. ?The new crops are coming in, and that?s why prices are falling,? Adam added.

?We expect more reductions in the coming weeks, especially for tomatoes, peppers, and some grains.?

At the Old Market in Sokoto, a bag of Indian rice has dropped from N53,000 to N50,000, while Thai long-grain rice now goes for N68,000, down from N72,000.

A bag of white beans now sells for N105,000, compared to N112,000 two months ago.

Similarly, a bag of white maize has reduced from N58,000 to N55,000, while red maize now goes for N58,000, down from N60,000.

New yams are priced between N4,000 and N5,500 per tuber, while dry yams sell between N6,500 and N8,500 each.

Hajia Salamatu Ibrahim, a foodstuff trader in the central market, noted that price instability has persisted.

?The prices have been moving up and down for months now,? she said.

In Benue, prices are also dropping. At the Rice Mill and Wadata Market in Makurdi, a basin of milled rice that previously sold between N35,000 and N42,000 now goes for N28,000 to N32,000, depending on quality.

A bag of local rice, whichh cost N78,000 last month, is now sold for N65,000 to N70,000.

Garri prices have also dropped. A basin that previously cost N35,000 is now N11,000, while a bag has come down from N75,000 to between N55,000 and N60,000.

The price of beans has also eased, with a bag that recently sold for N80,000 to N90,000 now available for N70,000 to N72,000, depending on the type.

Perishable items like tomatoes and peppers have followed the trend. According to Madam Abigail, a basket of tomatoes that used to sell for N55,000 now costs N35,000, while peppers have dropped from N65,000 to N40,000.

FG reduces post-harvest losses

Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Saturday said Agric industrial hubs would reduce post-harvest losses currently experienced by farmers in the country.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima disclosed this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the groundbreaking ceremony of Agricbusiness Industrial Hubs in Atan-Ijaiye, in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, Shettima emphasised the commitment of the Federal Government to transform the agricultural sector of the economy.

He, therefore, commended the initiative of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the agricultural sector, saying, ?It is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

?It is a product of a strategic partnership between the Federal Government, our state governments, and our esteemed international development partners, especially the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Islamic Development Bank,? Shettima said.

?This collaborative effort underscores our shared belief that sustainable development in agriculture is achievable only through unity, innovation (4:13) and shared responsibility.

?It is a clear indication that Nigeria is committed to leveraging global expertise, capital, and best practices to achieve sustainable growth and social inclusion,? he stressed.

Experts weigh in

Commenting, Chartered Stockbroker and Chief Executive Officer of Sofunix Investment and Communications, Sola Oni, said the persistent rise in food prices in the southern regions is a reflection of underlying weaknesses in Nigeria?s agricultural supply chain, security architecture, and regulatory systems.

?In the main, several structural and regional factors are responsible for persistently high food prices in the South-West and South-East despite broader national inflation declines,? Oni said.

He explained that insecurity remains a critical factor, adding that, ?Insecurity in the North, orchestrated by banditry in the North-West and insurgency in the North-East, hampers agricultural production and transport, reducing the flow of staples such as yams, tomatoes and onions, among others, to southern markets.?

Oni noted that poor infrastructure further compounds the problem, stating, ?Bad roads are another impediment. Southern regions rely on multiple middlemen, and each adds a markup.?

He also highlighted the absence of food price regulation and inadequate storage as contributing factors, saying, ?There is no coordinated food price regulation in the South, while storage facility is an issue. There Is also increasing demand for food in urban areas such as Lagos, Ibadan and Aba, which have high population densities.?

On the implications of the rebased economy, Oni said the improved macroeconomic indicators often do not reflect lived realities.

?At the outset, the rebasing may show improvement in macroeconomic indicators like a lower inflation rate or higher GDP,? he explained. ?But we must admit that these do not align with everyday experiences in Southern markets where price sensitivity is high. This is why traders and consumers often feel disconnected from official statistics, leading to distrust of government inflation figures.?

Similarly, former Chief Economist at Zenith Bank Plc, Marcel Okeke, fingered several factors as being responsible for the trend.

He said, ?You know, there is the climate factor. As we speak now, for example, in Lagos here. When was the last time that it rained in Lagos? Truly rained?. We have a climate change challenge, rain is not falling in various parts of the country the way it ought to, and that is affecting production and productivity.

?Secondly, is the impact of insecurity. If you check in various locations in the southwest, you find out that farmers in various locations, whether in the southwest or southeast, no longer find it easy to go to their farms. Men who have been attacked on their farms in various locations. You can check in Edo, you can check in Ondo, you can check in any state in the southwest and the southeast. So farmers are no longer comfortable, no longer find it easy to go to their various farms.?

The Chief Executive of CFG Advisory, Tilewa Adebajo, in a chat with Sunday PUNCH, also agreed that food inflation has multiple drivers, including logistics and insecurity.

?Let?s take a look at food inflation data over the last two years. Food inflation has been quite erratic, but what tends to happen is that food prices tend to be lower during the harvest season in the north.

?Unfortunately, because of insecurity and transportation infrastructure, which is not very adequate, by the time the food is transported to the southeast, we are getting higher food prices. So you can see that there is a distortion between food inflation types in the north and a lot of parts of the south. But I think the trajectory of food inflation has consistently been on the downward side, even though it remains a bit on the high side. So I think those are some of the key drivers of food inflation,? Adebajo said. (Sunday PUNCH)

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