Bean, tomato, Irish potato, garri, yam, and other food item prices underwent notable increases in June 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Released in Abuja on Tuesday, the NBS’ Selected Food Prices Watch report for June 2024 disclosed these findings.
The report revealed a 252.13% rise in the average price of 1kg of brown beans from N651.12 in June 2023 to N2,292.76 in June 2024.
Indicating a 14.11% month-on-month increase, the report stated, “1kg of brown beans rose from N2,009.23 in May 2024.”
On a year-on-year basis, the average price of 1kg of tomatoes surged by 320.67%, climbing from N547.28 in June 2023 to N2,302.26 in June 2024.
Moreover, there was a 55.97% increase on a monthly basis, with 1kg of tomatoes jumping from N1,479.69 in May 2024, as per the report.
Irish potatoes also witnessed a price uptick of 288.50% year-on-year, escalating from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.
The report detailed an 181.66% annual rise in the average price of 1kg of white garri, moving from N403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024.
It added, “1kg of white garri recorded a 1.86% monthly increase from N1,114.72 in May 2024.”
Furthermore, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber soared by 295.79% annually, transitioning from N510.77 in June 2023 to N2,021.55 in June 2024.
In terms of state profiling, the report highlighted that Kogi registered the highest average price for 1kg of brown beans at N3,006.43 in June 2024, while Adamawa recorded the lowest at N1,336.11.
Abuja saw the highest average price for 1kg of tomatoes at N3,992.61, with Kebbi reporting the lowest at N1,200.
Lagos topped the charts with the highest average price for 1kg of yam tuber at N3,376.54, while Adamawa had the lowest at N1,100.
According to the report, Gombe saw the highest average price for 1kg of white garri at N1,619.27, with Taraba reporting the lowest at N900.
Regional analysis revealed that the North-Central had the highest average price for 1kg of brown beans at N2, 923.45, followed by the South-South at N2,630.03.
For tomatoes, the South-West and South-East experienced the highest average prices at N3,261.84 and N2,852.59 respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West at N1,411.16.
The report stated that the South-West had the highest average price for 1kg of yam tuber at N2,745.80, followed by the North-Central at N2,440.35, with the North-West at the bottom with N1,238.49.
Furthermore, the South-West and the North-East presented the highest average prices for 1kg of white garri at N1,199.62 and N1,155.63, respectively.
Addressing the surging food prices and ensuring food security, the Federal Government recently implemented a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities.
The importation of specific food items like maize, cowpeas, wheat, and husked brown rice will benefit from the suspended duty tariffs and taxes across land and sea borders, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
However, experts suggest addressing issues like insecurity, foreign exchange rates, and transportation costs to implement more sustainable measures for curbing escalating food prices and guaranteeing food security.
(NAN)