By Lanre Shodimu
As millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with the harsh realities of inflation and declining purchasing power, the cost of essential food items remains a major concern across the country. Although some commodities recorded year-on-year declines in prices, recent figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveal that consumers are still paying more for staple foods on a month-to-month basis. From eggs and beans to garri and onions, the steady rise in food prices is further stretching household budgets and raising concerns about food affordability nationwide.Consumers
Groan as Prices of Eggs, Beans, Rice, Garri Rise in March
Fresh data released by the National Bureau of Statistics has shown that Nigerian consumers continued to face rising food costs in March 2026, despite some year-on-year declines in the prices of key commodities.
According to the NBS Selected Food Price Watch report for March 2026, the prices of staple food items such as eggs, beans, garri, onions and ginger all recorded increases on a month-on-month basis, underscoring the persistent inflationary pressure confronting households across the country.
The report revealed that the average price of a crate of eggs (30 pieces) stood at ₦6,127.62 in March 2026. Although this represented a 20.12 percent decrease compared to ₦7,670.56 recorded in March 2025, the commodity still rose by 2.00 percent when compared with February 2026, indicating that consumers are still paying more in recent months.
Brown beans, one of the most consumed staples in Nigerian homes, also witnessed a month-on-month increase. The average price of 1kg of brown beans rose to ₦1,325.85 in March 2026 from ₦1,307.44 in February 2026, reflecting a 1.41 percent increase. However, on a year-on-year basis, the commodity declined significantly by 49.32 percent from ₦2,616.26 recorded in March 2025.
Similarly, the average price of white loose garri dropped year-on-year from ₦1,362.96 in March 2025 to ₦801.54 in March 2026, representing a 41.19 percent decline. Yet, the commodity still recorded a 1.38 percent increase compared to February 2026, showing that prices are gradually climbing again.
The report further indicated that the average price of bulb onions decreased by 19.63 percent year-on-year to ₦1,153.14 in March 2026 from ₦1,434.85 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. On a month-on-month basis, however, the commodity increased by 1.59 percent.
Fresh ginger was among the few commodities that recorded increases both annually and monthly. The average price of 1kg stood at ₦5,541.25 in March 2026, representing a 20.46 percent rise compared to March 2025, as well as a 0.61 percent increase from February 2026.
The NBS data also highlighted sharp variations in food prices across states and geopolitical zones, reflecting differences in transportation costs, local production levels, market access and supply chain conditions.
At the state level, Taraba recorded the highest average price for a crate of eggs at ₦6,999.00, while Niger State posted the lowest price at ₦5,610.04. For brown beans, Oyo State recorded the highest average price at ₦1,937.20, whereas Taraba recorded the lowest at ₦745.
In the case of white garri, Abia State had the highest average price at ₦1,075.45, while Plateau State recorded the lowest at ₦513.78. Abia also emerged as the state with the highest average price of onions at ₦2,115.67, while Kwara State recorded the lowest at ₦829.91.
Regional analysis further showed that the South-East recorded the highest average price for eggs at ₦6,521.47, while the North-West recorded the lowest at ₦5,908.61. For brown beans, the South-West and South-South zones recorded the highest prices, while the North-West maintained the lowest average price.
The South-South and South-East zones also recorded the highest average prices for white garri, whereas the North-Central zone recorded the lowest. Similarly, onion prices were highest in the South-East and lowest in the North-Central region.
The latest figures reinforce growing concerns over food affordability in Nigeria, as many households continue to battle rising living costs amid economic uncertainties. Analysts say persistent transportation challenges, fluctuating supply chains, insecurity in food-producing areas and inflationary pressures remain major factors driving instability in food prices across the country.
