The National Bureau of Statistics has reported a sharp increase in food prices for June 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the Selected Food Prices Watch report released in Abuja, indicated that prices for essential items such as beans, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, garri, and yam have seen substantial year-on-year rises.
The average price of 1kg of brown beans surged by 252.13 percent, from N651.12 in June 2023 to N2,292.76 in June 2024. On a monthly basis, the price increased by 14.11 percent from N2,009.23 in May 2024.
Tomatoes experienced an even steeper rise, with the average price of 1kg climbing by 320.67 percent year-on-year, from N547.28 in June 2023 to N2,302.26 in June 2024. Month-to-month, the price jumped by 55.97 percent from N1,479.69 in May 2024.
The report also highlights a 288.50 percent increase in the average price of 1kg of Irish potatoes, from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.
White garri saw an 181.66 percent increase, with 1kg rising from N403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024. On a month-to-month basis, the price rose by 1.86 percent from N1,114.72 in May 2024.
The average price of 1kg of yam tuber also soared by 295.79 percent, from N510.77 in June 2023 to N2,021.55 in June 2024.
State-wise, Kogi recorded the highest average price for 1kg of brown beans at N3,006.43, while Adamawa had the lowest at N1,336.11.
Abuja reported the highest price for tomatoes at N3,992.61, with Kebbi having the lowest at N1,200. For yam tuber, Lagos had the highest price at N3,376.54, and Adamawa the lowest at N1,100. Gombe saw the highest average price for white garri at N1,619.27, while Taraba had the lowest at N900.
Zone-wise, the North-Central recorded the highest average price for 1kg of brown beans at N2,923.45, and the South-South followed with N2,630.03.
The South-West and South-East had the highest average prices for 1kg of tomatoes at N3,261.84 and N2,852.59, respectively, while the North-West had the lowest at N1,411.16.
The South-West also recorded the highest price for 1kg of yam tuber at N2,745.80, followed by the North-Central at N2,440.35, with the North-West at N1,238.49. For white garri, the South-West and North-East had the highest average prices at N1,199.62 and N1,155.63, respectively.
In response to the ongoing food price crisis, the Federal Government has introduced a 150-day duty-free import window for certain food items, including maize, cowpeas, wheat, and husked brown rice.
However, experts advocated for more sustainable solutions, such as tackling insecurity, addressing foreign exchange issues, and reducing transportation costs to better ensure food security.
