The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported significant price increases for various food items, including beans, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, garri, and yam, in June 2024.
This information was detailed in the NBS’s Selected Food Prices Watch report for June 2024, released on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the report, the average price of 1kg of brown beans surged by 252.13% from N651.12 in June 2023 to N2,292.76 in June 2024.
Month-on-month, the price of 1kg of brown beans rose by 14.11% from N2,009.23 in May 2024.
The average price of 1kg of tomatoes increased by 320.67% year-on-year, from N547.28 in June 2023 to N2,302.26 in June 2024.
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On a monthly basis, the price jumped by 55.97% from N1,479.69 in May 2024.
Irish potatoes also saw a significant price hike, with the average price of 1kg increasing by 288.50% from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.
Similarly, the average price of 1kg of white garri rose by 181.66% year-on-year, from N403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024, with a month-on-month increase of 1.86% from N1,114.72 in May 2024.
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Additionally, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber increased by 295.79% from N510.77 in June 2023 to N2,021.55 in June 2024.
The report also provided a state-by-state analysis of food prices.
In June 2024, Kogi recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N3,006.43, while Adamawa had the lowest at N1,336.11.
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Abuja had the highest average price of 1kg of tomatoes at N3,992.61, with Kebbi recording the lowest at N1,200.
Lagos had the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber at N3,376.54, while Adamawa recorded the lowest at N1,100.
Gombe reported the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,619.27, with Taraba having the lowest at N900.
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By region, the North-Central zone recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N2,923.45, followed by the South-South at N2,630.03.
The South-West and South-East had the highest average prices of 1kg of tomatoes at N3,261.84 and N2,852.59, respectively, while the North-West had the lowest at N1,411.16.
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The South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber at N2,745.80, followed by the North-Central at N2,440.35, with the North-West having the lowest at N1,238.49.
The South-West and North-East recorded the highest average prices of 1kg of white garri at N1,199.62 and N1,155.63, respectively.
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In response to the rising food prices and to ensure food security, the Federal Government recently granted a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities.
This suspension of duty tariffs and taxes applies to the importation of certain food items, including maize, cowpeas, wheat, and husked brown rice, across land and sea borders.
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However, experts have suggested that more sustainable measures are needed to address the soaring food prices, such as tackling issues related to insecurity, foreign exchange, and transportation costs.
