Current Prices of Rice, Beans, Tomatoes, and Other Food Commodities in Nigeria This Week

As of March 1, 2025, food prices across Nigeria remain a critical topic as households navigate economic challenges, including inflation, supply chain disruptions, and seasonal shifts. This week’s overview of commodity prices—covering staples like rice, beans, tomatoes, and more—reflects the latest market trends based on available data and reports up to the current date. Below is a detailed breakdown of the costs for these essential items, offering insight into the financial pressures facing Nigerians today.

Price of a Bag of Rice This Week

Rice, a cornerstone of Nigerian diets, continues to experience price fluctuations influenced by factors like transportation costs, currency valuation, and regional availability. As of this week:

• Local Rice (50kg bag): Prices range between ₦65,000 and ₦75,000 in many markets, a slight decrease from earlier highs of ₦80,000–₦90,000 observed in February. This dip is attributed to improved supply from recent harvests and some stabilization in logistics costs in rural areas. In urban centers like Lagos and Abuja, prices hover closer to ₦70,000–₦75,000 due to higher demand and transport premiums.
• Imported Rice (50kg bag): Scarcer due to import restrictions, imported rice is retailing between ₦80,000 and ₦85,000 where available. Posts on X from late February suggest even lower outlier prices (e.g., ₦28,500 at Sabon Gari Market, Abuja), but these are unverified and likely exceptions rather than the norm.

The variance underscores regional differences, with rural markets near production zones offering cheaper rates compared to cities reliant on long-haul distribution.

Price of a Bag of Beans This Week

Beans, another dietary staple prized for its protein content, have seen a notable decline in prices recently, providing some relief to consumers:

• White Beans (100kg bag): In Kaduna, prices have dropped to around ₦88,000 from a previous high of ₦160,000, reflecting a seasonal harvest boost. In Lagos, a 50kg bag ranges from ₦60,000 to ₦65,000, depending on variety (e.g., Iron White or Honey Beans).
• Honey Beans (50kg bag): Retailing at approximately ₦60,000–₦65,000 in southern markets, with X posts indicating prices as low as ₦54,950 in Abuja’s Sabon Gari Market. These reductions are tied to increased supply from northern farming regions post-harvest.

Despite the drop, transportation costs and insecurity in some northern states continue to influence final prices in urban centers, keeping them elevated compared to rural areas.

Price of Tomatoes This Week

Tomatoes, a perishable commodity subject to seasonal volatility, have also seen a downward trend this week due to the ongoing harvest season:

• Basket of Fresh Tomatoes: A large basket sells for ₦50,000–₦60,000 in major markets like Lagos and Port Harcourt, down from ₦140,000–₦150,000 in late 2024. Medium baskets are priced at ₦30,000–₦35,000. In northern production hubs, prices can dip as low as ₦20,000 per basket due to proximity to farms.
• Factors at Play: Improved weather conditions and reduced post-harvest losses have bolstered supply, though urban prices remain higher due to transport and storage challenges.

Consumers in urban areas still report higher costs compared to rural markets, reflecting the persistent impact of logistics on perishable goods.

Prices of Other Key Food Commodities This Week

Beyond rice, beans, and tomatoes, other essentials paint a mixed picture of affordability:

• Garri (50kg bag): Prices range from ₦50,000 to ₦55,000, with some X posts citing outlier lows like ₦6,500 in Abuja—likely for smaller quantities or a misreport. Garri remains a relatively stable staple, though inflationary pressures keep it costly.
• Palm Oil (25-liter keg): Averaging ₦48,000–₦50,000, palm oil prices have held steady, driven by consistent production in southern states but tempered by rising fuel costs affecting transport.
• Yam (per tuber): Depending on size, yam tubers cost ₦3,000–₦4,500, with supply remaining robust from middle-belt states like Benue.
• Chicken (1kg): Priced at ₦4,500–₦5,000, poultry costs reflect feed price hikes and festive season demand lingering into early March.

Economic and Environmental Influences

Several factors shape this week’s prices:

• Inflation: Nigeria’s inflation rate, which hit 34.8% in December 2024, continues to erode purchasing power, though slight naira strengthening has eased some import-related pressures.
• Seasonal Harvests: The ongoing harvest of beans and tomatoes has increased supply, driving prices down from late 2024 peaks.
• Insecurity and Logistics: Despite improvements, disruptions in northern farming regions and high fuel costs keep urban prices elevated.
• Currency Dynamics: A marginally stronger naira has softened imported commodity costs, though local production still dominates supply.

Regional Variations and Consumer Sentiment

Prices vary widely by region. Northern states like Kaduna and Kano offer lower rates due to proximity to farms, while southern cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt see premiums due to transport and demand. Posts on X reflect public frustration, with users noting that even the new ₦70,000 minimum wage struggles to keep pace with rising costs—a sentiment echoed in urban markets where staples remain out of reach for many.

Looking Ahead

As March progresses, traders anticipate stable or slightly lower prices for harvest-dependent items like beans and tomatoes, though rice and processed goods may see upward pressure if fuel costs rise further. Experts suggest early purchases to hedge against potential spikes, especially with festive seasons like Easter on the horizon.

This snapshot of food commodity prices as of March 1, 2025, highlights both relief and ongoing challenges for Nigerian households. For the latest updates or deeper analysis on specific markets, feel free to ask—I’m here to help you navigate this evolving economic landscape!