Food costs throughout main Lagos markets recorded a reversal in October 2026, with extra staples posting worth improve than declines, regardless of a month-on-month fall in Nigeria’s nationwide food inflation fee.
The newest Nairametrics market survey of 67 food staples throughout Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12 and Oyingbo markets confirmed that 31 objects recorded elevated in worth in October, considerably increased than the 17 in September.
Meanwhile, 20 objects declined in worth, down from 35 objects in the earlier month, whereas 16 objects remained unchanged in comparison with 15 objects in September.
The October worth actions recommend that whereas the harvest season and improved provides continued to reasonable 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, mentioned 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 plentiful harvests and intense competitors amongst sellers.
Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a pepper seller 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, mentioned 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, mentioned:
- “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 worth increases
Yellow and white maize posted the very best improve 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 improve.
- Bush mango seed (ogbono) additionally recorded a sharp improve, rising from N300,000 to N405,000 per huge bag, representing a 35% improve.
- Yellow garri recorded one other vital improve, rising from N18,000 to N23,000 per 50kg bag, representing a 27.78% improve. 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% improve.
- Frozen rooster additionally turned dearer. The common worth of a carton of rooster lap rose from N48,000 to N55,000, representing a 14.58% improve.
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 worth motion
Despite the broader improve in the variety of staples that turned dearer, some food objects recorded notable reductions in October.
Round-shaped tomatoes recorded the most important decline among the many objects reviewed in the survey.
- The common worth 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 huge basket, a 12.50% decline.
- Titus mackerel additionally declined by 14.29%, from N10,500 to N9,000 per kilogram.
- The common worth 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 fee declined to 14.63% year-on-year in September 2026, from 15.39% in August.
This represents a discount of 0.76 proportion factors and marks an additional moderation in the annual fee of worth 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 worth stage elevated solely marginally through the month, though it didn’t imply that every one costs fell.
- Food inflation fee stood at 19.59% in September, marginally increased than the 19.57% recorded in August, however decrease than the 20.16% recorded in September 2025.
Notably, Lagos information 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 increased than their ranges a 12 months earlier, even because the nationwide month-on-month food inflation fee turned unfavourable.
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 objects throughout Nigeria.
This report particularly covers 4 key markets in Lagos State: Mushin, Daleko, Oyingbo, and Mile 12 Market.
The survey gives up-to-date insights into food worth tendencies, serving to companies, policymakers, and shoppers make knowledgeable choices.
