The Business NG - September 30, 2024

In this issue

Food Price Relief: Tomatoes and Yam Prices Drop Amidst Economic Hardship in Nigeria



The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that the prices of tomatoes and yam tubers have dropped in August 2024, providing some relief to Nigerians amidst the prevailing economic hardship. According to the NBS' Selected Food Prices Watch for August 2024, the prices of tomatoes and yams declined on a month-on-month basis, but remained high on a year-on-year basis.

The price of 1kg of tomatoes decreased by 11.07% month-on-month from N1,693.83 in July 2024 to N1,506.35. This decrease is a welcome relief for Nigerian consumers who have been struggling with high food prices. Additionally, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber decreased by 7.82% month-on-month from N1,802.84 in July 2024.

However, the price of yam tuber increased by 188.31% on a year-on-year basis from N576.39 in August 2023 to N1,661.80 in July 2024. This significant increase highlights the ongoing challenges in the food market.

Despite the drop in prices of tomatoes and yams, the prices of other essential food items such as beans, rice, bread, and eggs have continued to rise in Nigeria. The August headline and food inflation stood at 32.15% and 37.52%, respectively.