The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a significant increase in the prices of essential food items, including rice, garri, tomatoes, beans, and yams, for April 2024.
According to the NBS’s Selected Food Prices Watch report, released in Abuja on Friday, the average price of one kilogram of local rice surged by 155.93 percent, from N546.76 in April 2023 to N1,399.34 in April 2024.
On a month-to-month basis, the price increased by 3.47 percent, rising from N1,340.74 in March 2024.
The report by NBS also highlighted a sharp rise in the price of white garri. The average price for one kilogram of white garri jumped by 134.98 percent year-on-year, from N362.50 in April 2023 to N851.81 in April 2024.
Additionally, the price increased by 13.59 percent on a month-to-month basis, from N749.89 in March 2024.
The report by NBS indicates a parallel trend in the price of tomatoes, with a 131.58 percent surge year-on-year, rising from N485.10 in April 2023 to N1,123.41 in April 2024.
On a month-to-month basis, tomato prices surged by 17.06 percent from N959.68 in March 2024.
Brown beans experienced a similar trajectory, with prices leaping by 125.43 percent year-on-year, from N615.65 in April 2023 to N1,387.90 in April 2024. Month-on-month, the price rose by 12.44 percent, increasing from N1,234.40 in March 2024 to N1,387.90 in April 2024.
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Furthermore, the price of yam tubers surged by 154.19 percent year-on-year, from N444.69 in April 2023 to N1,130.37 in April 2024. On a month-to-month basis, yam prices rose by 5.76 percent from N1,068.78 in March 2024 to N1,130.37 in April 2024.
Regional analysis revealed substantial disparities, with Niger State recording the highest average price of 1kg of local rice at N1,785.47, while Benue State reported the lowest at N993.72.
Similarly, Bayelsa recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,095.26, contrasting with Benue’s lowest average price at N494.47.
Abuja topped the list for brown beans prices, averaging N2,288.36 per kilogram, while Yobe reported the lowest at N818.03. Cross River boasted the highest average price of 1kg of yam tubers at N1,797.15, whereas Bauchi had the lowest at N638.64.
Analysis by zone depicted the South-West with the highest average price of 1kg of local rice at N1,615.21, followed by the South-South at N1,564.85, and the North-West with the lowest price at N1,163.13.
The South-South and South-West also led in the average price of 1kg of white garri, while the North-West reported the lowest.
The report underscores the pressing economic challenges posed by escalating food prices, necessitating comprehensive measures to mitigate the burden on consumers nationwide.
NAN
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