Consumers across Nigeria paid varying prices for staple food items in March 2026, with increases recorded in several key commodities despite significant year-on-year declines, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The data was contained in the Selected Food Price Watch report released on Wednesday.
The report showed that the average price of a crate of eggs (30 pieces) stood at ₦6,127.62, representing a 20.12% decline compared to ₦7,670.56 recorded in March 2025. However, on a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 2.00% from February 2026.
Similarly, the price of brown beans (1kg) dropped sharply by 49.32% year-on-year to ₦1,325.85 from ₦2,616.26 in March 2025, but rose by 1.41% compared to the previous month.
For white loose garri (1kg), the average price declined by 41.19% year-on-year to ₦801.54, although it recorded a 1.38% monthly increase.
Onions (1kg) also saw a year-on-year reduction of 19.63%, falling to ₦1,153.14, while still rising 1.59% month-on-month.
In contrast, fresh ginger (1kg) increased both year-on-year and month-on-month, rising to ₦5,541.25—up 20.46% compared to March 2025 and 0.61% higher than February 2026.
State-level analysis revealed wide disparities in food prices across the country. Taraba State recorded the highest price for eggs at ₦6,999.00, while Niger State had the lowest at ₦5,610.04.
For beans, Oyo State posted the highest price at ₦1,937.20, whereas Taraba State recorded the lowest at ₦745.00.
In the garri market, Abia State had the highest average price at ₦1,075.45, while Plateau State recorded the lowest at ₦513.78. Onion prices were highest in Abia State at ₦2,115.67 and lowest in Kwara State at ₦829.91.
Regional analysis also showed significant variation. For eggs, the South-East recorded the highest average price at ₦6,521.47, while the North-West had the lowest at ₦5,908.61.
For beans, the South-West and South-South recorded the highest averages, while the North-West recorded the lowest at ₦851.11.
For garri, the South-South recorded the highest price, while the North-Central had the lowest. Onion prices were highest in the South-East and lowest in the North-Central region.
The report highlights ongoing volatility in Nigeria’s food market, with short-term price increases persisting despite broader year-on-year declines in several staples.
