Food costs throughout main Lagos markets recorded a reversal in October 2026, with extra staples posting value enhance than declines, regardless of a month-on-month fall in Nigeria’s nationwide food inflation price.
The newest Nairametrics market survey of 67 food staples throughout Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12 and Oyingbo markets confirmed that 31 gadgets recorded elevated in value in October, considerably greater than the 17 in September.
Meanwhile, 20 gadgets declined in value, down from 35 gadgets in the earlier month, whereas 16 gadgets remained unchanged in comparison with 15 gadgets in September.
The October value actions counsel that whereas the harvest season and improved provides continued to average costs for some perishables and imported food merchandise, provide disruptions, seasonal demand, transportation prices, and storage-related elements pushed up the costs of a number of key staples together with maize, garri, onions, beans, milk merchandise, and frozen meals.
What the merchants are saying
Mrs. Kemi Adewale, a tomato wholesaler at Mile 12 Market, stated the sharp decline in tomato costs was pushed by elevated provides from main farming belts throughout northern and central Nigeria.
- “We received more tomato trucks in October than we did in September. When supply increases like this, buyers have more options and prices naturally come down.”
Similarly, pepper merchants attributed the decline to ample harvests and intense competitors amongst sellers.
Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a pepper vendor in Mile 12, defined:
- “Pepper became more available this month and many traders were competing for the same customers. Since pepper spoils quickly, nobody wants to keep stock for too long. Most sellers preferred to reduce prices and sell faster rather than risk losses.”
According to Mr. Emeka Nwosu, a frozen fish distributor in Daleko Market:
- “Many households are still managing tight budgets. Even when stock is available, customers are buying smaller quantities. Suppliers had to reduce prices slightly to encourage sales.”
Mr. Adebayo Olatunji, a grain service provider at Oyingbo Market, stated demand from poultry operators and feed millers remained exceptionally sturdy.
- “Many people expected maize prices to fall because harvests have started, but demand is still very high. Poultry farms and feed producers are buying aggressively, and that is competing with household demand.”
Another dealer, Mrs. Hadiza Bello, who sources grains from northern Nigeria, famous that some farmers and aggregators have been intentionally holding inventories.
- “A lot of suppliers believe prices could rise further towards the end of the year, so they are not releasing all their stock to the market. That has reduced immediate supply and pushed prices higher.”
Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, an onion dealer at Mile 12 Market, stated:
- “Supply was not as plenty as what we saw a few months ago. Fewer trucks arrived in the market and that immediately affected prices because onions are traded largely based on available truckloads.”
Items that recorded value increases
Yellow and white maize posted the very best enhance amongst broadly consumed staples. A 50kg bag of each yellow and white maize climbed from N40,000 in September to N55,000 in October, representing a 37.5% month-on-month enhance.
- Bush mango seed (ogbono) additionally recorded a sharp enhance, rising from N300,000 to N405,000 per massive bag, representing a 35% enhance.
- Yellow garri recorded one other vital enhance, rising from N18,000 to N23,000 per 50kg bag, representing a 27.78% enhance. While white garri rose from N19,500 to N21,000, representing a 7.69% rise.
- 320g pack of Dano refill milk elevated from N3,300 to N3,950, representing a 19.70% rise, whereas 900g pack of Peak refill milk rose by 17.39%, from N9,200 to N10,800.
- Bournvita in a 500g/450g jar elevated from N4,400 to N5,050, representing a 14.77% enhance.
- Frozen rooster additionally grew to become costlier. The common value of a carton of rooster lap rose from N48,000 to N55,000, representing a 14.58% enhance.
Other notable increases included:
- Dry onions rose 10%, from N200,000 to N220,000 in October.
- 70g Golden Penny noodles, up 4.88%, from N8,200 to N8,600.
- 50kg Brown beans, up 4.76%, from N105,000 to N110,000.
- 500g Bonita pasts, up 4.17%, from N1,200 to N1,250.
Items that posted downward value motion
Despite the broader enhance in the variety of staples that grew to become costlier, some food gadgets recorded notable reductions in October.
Round-shaped tomatoes recorded the most important decline among the many gadgets reviewed in the survey.
- The common value of an enormous basket fell from N45,000 in September to N35,000 in October, representing a 22.22% lower, whereas Oval-shaped tomatoes fell from N80,000 to N70,000 per massive basket, a 12.50% decline.
- Titus mackerel additionally declined by 14.29%, from N10,500 to N9,000 per kilogram.
- The common value of a medium bag fell from N40,000 to N35,000, representing a 12.50% lower, whereas the large bag additionally declined by 12.50%, from N80,000 to N70,000.
- Oloyin beans declined by 6.67%, from N75,000 to N70,000, whereas candy potatoes fell by 6.25%, from N32,000 to N30,000.
Other reductions included:
- 350g pack of Cowbell refill milk, declined by 4.47%, from N3,020 to N2,885.
- 5kg pack of Honeywell semo fell by 3.44%, from N8,150 to N7,870, whereas Ayoola poundo yam flour, 4.5kg, declined by 2.45%, from N18,800 to N18,340.
- 25 liters of Local palm oil, down 2.08%, from N48,000 to N47,000.
- 50kg Royal Stallion short-grain rice, down 2.04%, from N49,000 to N48,000.
Inflationary contribution
Lagos market survey in October comes after Nigeria’s headline inflation price declined to 14.63% year-on-year in September 2026, from 15.39% in August.
This represents a discount of 0.76 share factors and marks an additional moderation in the annual price of value increases.
- On a month-on-month foundation, headline inflation slowed to 0.06% in September, in contrast with 0.71% in August. This signifies that the common value stage elevated solely marginally throughout the month, though it didn’t imply that every one costs fell.
- Food inflation price stood at 19.59% in September, marginally greater than the 19.57% recorded in August, however decrease than the 20.16% recorded in September 2025.
Notably, Lagos data the very best food inflation in September. The state recorded 34.40% year-on-year food inflation in contrast with 30.89% in August.
This means food costs in Lagos have been considerably greater than their ranges a 12 months earlier, even because the nationwide month-on-month food inflation price turned damaging.
Lagos’ headline inflation additionally moderated, falling to 17.35% in September, from 23.68% in August.
About the Nairametrics Food Price Survey
The Nairametrics Food Price Watch is a month-to-month market survey monitoring the costs of main food gadgets throughout Nigeria.
This report particularly covers 4 key markets in Lagos State: Mushin, Daleko, Oyingbo, and Mile 12 Market.
The survey offers up-to-date insights into food value developments, serving to companies, policymakers, and shoppers make knowledgeable choices.
