NBS data shows lower prices for garri, beans and other staples in April 2026, signalling easing pressure on household food costs
The National Bureau of Statistics has reported significant declines in the prices of several staple food items across Nigeria, with garri and beans recording some of the sharpest year-on-year reductions.
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According to the agency’s April 2026 Food Price Watch report, the average price of white garri dropped by 39.86 per cent compared with the same period last year, while brown beans recorded a 44.89 per cent decline.
The report showed that white garri sold for an average of N808.96 per kilogram in April 2026, compared with N1,345.10 in April 2025. Despite the annual decline, the commodity recorded a slight month-on-month increase of 0.93 per cent.
Brown beans sold for an average of N1,338.93 per kilogram, down from N2,429.39 a year earlier. The commodity also posted a marginal monthly increase of 0.99 per cent.
Tomato prices averaged N1,177.92 per kilogram, representing an 8.23 per cent decline from April 2025. However, prices rose by 6.60 per cent compared with March 2026.
Onions also became more affordable, with the average price falling by 22.56 per cent year-on-year to N1,164.39 per kilogram.
Fresh ginger was among the few commodities to record a notable increase, rising by 12.30 per cent to N5,581.82 per kilogram.
The report highlighted wide price variations across states. Abia recorded the highest average price for garri at N1,075.47 per kilogram, while Plateau posted the lowest at N517.94.
For brown beans, Oyo State recorded the highest average price at N1,938.91 per kilogram, while Taraba had the lowest at N750.
Bayelsa recorded the highest average tomato price at N1,600.73 per kilogram, while Plateau had the lowest at N730.48.
At the regional level, the South-East recorded the highest average garri prices, while the North-Central zone posted the lowest. The South-South had the highest average tomato prices, while the North-West recorded the lowest.
Despite the moderation in the cost of some staple foods, the statistics agency noted that food inflation remains a concern. Food inflation stood at 16.06 per cent in April 2026, lower than the 24.68 per cent recorded in April 2025.
The agency said price movements in commodities such as millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, wheat grain, soybeans and plantain continue to influence overall food costs across the country.
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The latest figures suggest a gradual easing of pressure on household food budgets, although consumers continue to face rising costs in several categories.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
