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Food prices in major Lagos markets increased in October 2026, with more food items becoming expensive despite a slowdown in Nigeria’s overall inflation rate.
A Nairametrics survey of 67 food items across Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12 and Oyingbo markets showed that 31 items recorded price increases in October, compared with 17 in September.
Meanwhile, 20 items became cheaper, down from 35 in September, while 16 items maintained their previous prices, compared with 15 in the previous month.
The survey showed that increased supplies helped reduce the prices of some fresh food items.
However, supply shortages, transportation costs, seasonal demand and storage challenges pushed up the prices of several staples, including maize, garri, onions, beans, milk and frozen foods.
Why some food prices fell
Traders said the prices of tomatoes and pepper fell because more supplies arrived from farming communities across northern and central Nigeria.
Mrs Kemi Adewale, a tomato wholesaler at Mile 12 Market, said more trucks delivered tomatoes in October than in September, giving buyers more options and forcing sellers to reduce prices.
Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a pepper dealer at Mile 12, also attributed the decline in pepper prices to increased supplies and competition among traders. He said sellers preferred to reduce prices and sell quickly because pepper spoils easily.
Mr Emeka Nwosu, a frozen fish distributor at Daleko Market, said some sellers reduced prices because households were buying smaller quantities due to financial difficulties.
However, grain traders said strong demand from poultry farmers and animal feed producers continued to push up maize prices.
Mr Adebayo Olatunji, a grain merchant at Oyingbo Market, said demand remained high despite the start of the harvest season.
Mrs Hadiza Bello, who buys grains from northern Nigeria, added that some farmers and suppliers were holding back their stocks because they expected prices to rise further before the end of the year.
An onion trader, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, also said fewer deliveries to Mile 12 Market contributed to the increase in onion prices.
Food items that became more expensive
Yellow and white maize recorded the highest price increase among major food staples surveyed.
A 50kg bag of each variety rose from N40,000 in September to N55,000 in October, representing an increase of 37.5 per cent.
Ogbono, also known as bush mango seed, recorded another major increase. The price of a big bag rose from N300,000 to N405,000, an increase of 35 per cent.
Yellow garri increased by 27.78 per cent, from N18,000 to N23,000 per 50kg bag. White garri also rose by 7.69 per cent, from N19,500 to N21,000.
Milk and other household products also became more expensive.
A 320g pack of Dano refill milk increased from N3,300 to N3,950, representing a 19.70 per cent rise. A 900g pack of Peak refill milk rose by 17.39 per cent, from N9,200 to N10,800.
Bournvita in a 500g or 450g jar increased from N4,400 to N5,050, representing a 14.77 per cent rise.
The price of a carton of frozen chicken laps rose from N48,000 to N55,000, an increase of 14.58 per cent.
Other food items that recorded increases included:
Dry onions rose by 10 per cent, from N200,000 to N220,000.
A 70g pack of Golden Penny noodles increased by 4.88 per cent, from N8,200 to N8,600.
A 50kg bag of brown beans rose by 4.76 per cent, from N105,000 to N110,000.
A 500g pack of Bonita pasta increased by 4.17 per cent, from N1,200 to N1,250.
Food items that became cheaper
Despite the increase in the prices of many staples, some food items became cheaper in October.
Round tomatoes recorded the biggest decline among the surveyed items. The price of a big basket fell from N45,000 in September to N35,000 in October, representing a 22.22 per cent reduction.
Oval-shaped tomatoes also declined by 12.5 per cent, from N80,000 to N70,000 per big basket.
Titus mackerel fell by 14.29 per cent, from N10,500 to N9,000 per kilogram.
The price of a medium bag of another surveyed food item fell from N40,000 to N35,000, while its big bag declined from N80,000 to N70,000. Both recorded a 12.5 per cent reduction.
Other items that became cheaper included:
Oloyin beans fell by 6.67 per cent, from N75,000 to N70,000.
Sweet potatoes declined by 6.25 per cent, from N32,000 to N30,000.
A 350g pack of Cowbell refill milk fell by 4.47 per cent, from N3,020 to N2,885.
A 5kg pack of Honeywell semovita declined by 3.44 per cent, from N8,150 to N7,870.
A 4.5kg pack of Ayoola poundo yam flour fell by 2.45 per cent, from N18,800 to N18,340.
A 25-litre container of local palm oil declined by 2.08 per cent, from N48,000 to N47,000.
A 50kg bag of Royal Stallion short-grain rice fell by 2.04 per cent, from N49,000 to N48,000.
Source: Nairametrics
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