By Kofoworola Fakeye, JKNewsMedia Reporter
MAJOR FOOD staple prices recorded significant year on year declines, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Selected Food Price Watch report, reflecting lower costs compared to the record high levels of the previous year and providing much needed relief.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the study also shows that while annual prices declined, some commodities recorded marginal month on month increases linked to lingering transport and logistics pressures.
It shows that brown beans fell by 44.89 percent to an average of N1,338.93 per kilogram from N2,429.39 in the same period last year.
White garri dropped by 39.86 percent to N808.96 per kilogram from N1,345.10 recorded previously.
Onion bulbs declined by 22.56 percent, settling at an average of N1,164.39 per kilogram.
Tomatoes reduced by 8.23 percent, bringing the average price to N1,177.92 per kilogram.
Despite the annual reductions, garri and beans recorded month on month increases of 0.93 percent and 0.99 percent respectively.
Tomatoes also rose by 6.60 percent compared to the preceding month.
Fresh ginger moved against the broader annual trend, rising 12.30 percent year-on-year to N5,581.82 per kilogram, attributed to ongoing localized supply constraints.
Regional pricing differences were also reported. Garri recorded its highest average price in Abia State at N1,075.47 per kilogram, while the lowest was recorded in Plateau State at N517.94 per kilogram.
Beans were highest in Oyo State at N1,938.91 per kilogram and lowest in Taraba State at N750.
Tomatoes reached their highest average price in Bayelsa State at ₦1,600.73 per kilogram, while Plateau State recorded the lowest at N730.48 per kilogram.
Fieldwork was conducted by over 700 NBS staff across all states of the federation, supported by supervisors monitored by internal and external observers. Prices were collected across all 774 local government areas from 10,000 respondents and locations.
The report also states that calculations are based on weights derived from household consumption expenditure on goods and services alongside field price collection, with averages computed at state and national levels.
The NBS audit team further carried out randomly selected verification of recorded prices., the report notes.
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