Lagos food squeeze persists as egusi jumps 30% despite staple p

Food prices in Lagos markets showed signs of broader easing in September, but households continued to face sharp increases in some key staples as high distribution costs, insecurity and bulk buying kept pressure on selected commodities.

A Nairametrics survey of 67 food staples across Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12 and Oyingbo markets found that 36 items recorded month-on-month price declines in September, up from 27 in August, while the number of commodities that increased in price fell to 16 from 18.

The improvement, however, remains uneven. The price of melon, popularly known as egusi, jumped 29.73 per cent during the month to N480,000 for a big bag from N370,000 in August. Compared with September 2025, the price was up 118.18 per cent from N220,000.

Tomatoes also became significantly more expensive, with the price of a big basket of oval-shaped tomatoes rising 14.29 per cent to N80,000, while round tomatoes increased 12.5 per cent to N45,000.

Cooking oil prices also moved higher. A 2.6-litre bottle of Power Oil rose 10.77 per cent to N10,800, while five litres of local vegetable oil increased 4.76 per cent to N11,000. A five-litre container of palm oil also rose 6.25 per cent to N8,500.

The increases matter because food remains the largest component of household spending for many Nigerians, meaning sharp movements in a few widely consumed commodities can quickly undermine the benefits of lower prices elsewhere.

Traders said improved harvest arrivals had increased supplies of maize, beans and garri, helping to push down prices of several staples. They also reported weaker consumer purchasing power, with some households reducing the quantities they buy as budgets remain under pressure.

The price of a 50kg bag of white or yellow maize, for instance, fell 20 per cent to N40,000. Yellow garri declined 14.29 per cent to N18,000, while white garri fell 11.36 per cent to N19,500.

Pepper prices also dropped sharply, with a big bag falling 20 per cent to N80,000 and a medium bag declining 11.11 per cent to N40,000. Oloyin beans fell 8.54 per cent to N75,000, while a 50kg bag of brown beans declined 4.55 per cent to N105,000.

Traders attributed the contrasting price movements partly to supply conditions and the rising cost of moving produce from farming communities to Lagos. In the case of egusi, one trader at Oyingbo Market said large buyers were purchasing produce directly from producing areas, sometimes taking output from several hectares before it reached smaller distributors.

That reduces supplies available to smaller traders and can push up prices even when overall production remains relatively healthy.

The September market trend comes against a mixed inflation backdrop. Nigeria’s national food inflation rate eased to 19.57 per cent in August from 20.31 per cent in July, its first decline in six months. But Lagos recorded food inflation of 30.9 per cent in August, significantly above the national rate

The gap highlights the importance of logistics and distribution in determining what consumers eventually pay. Lagos is both Nigeria’s largest consumption centre and a major distribution hub, meaning transport, storage, market charges and other costs are added to farm-gate prices before food reaches households.

With 15 commodities unchanged in September and more staples declining than rising, the market is showing some improvement. But the sharp increase in egusi, tomatoes and cooking oils demonstrates that lower national inflation does not automatically mean cheaper food at the household level.

For consumers, the critical measure remains the cost of filling the shopping basket. Until supply chains become more efficient, agricultural security improves and distribution costs fall, price relief in some staples may continue to coexist with steep increases in others.