Abuja residents experienced some relief in September as the prices of key staple foods, including rice, beans, and tomatoes, recorded a notable decline across major markets in the Federal Capital Territory.
A market survey conducted in areas such as Wuse, Utako, Garki, and Lugbe showed that the cost of foreign parboiled rice dropped from an average of ₦85,000 per 50kg bag in August to about ₦78,000 in September, depending on the brand. Local rice also saw a reduction, selling between ₦60,000 and ₦65,000 per 50kg bag, compared to ₦70,000 earlier.
Similarly, beans, a common substitute for rice in many households, fell in price. A 100kg bag of oloyin beans, which previously sold for ₦95,000, now goes for between ₦85,000 and ₦88,000, while the white beans variety declined from ₦100,000 to around ₦90,000 per bag.
Fresh tomatoes, whose prices had spiked in mid-year due to seasonal shortages, also eased. A medium basket now sells for between ₦28,000 and ₦32,000, down from ₦40,000 in August. Pepper and onions followed a similar trend, though with less sharp reductions.
Traders attributed the price drop to increased harvest supply from the North and reduced transportation bottlenecks following improved road access in some farming corridors. However, they warned that the relief might be temporary as fluctuations tied to weather, fuel costs, and demand could push prices up again in the coming months.
Consumers welcomed the reduction, noting that the cost of food had placed significant pressure on household budgets. “It may not be enough, but at least rice and beans are now within reach again for many families,” said a shopper at Garki Market.
Food inflation has remained a pressing challenge in Nigeria, with many families cutting down on quantity and variety. The September decline in Abuja markets, though modest, has been received as a positive sign amid the broader economic difficulties.
