Rice Prices Surge 20.5% as 50kg Bag Hits ₦112,000 — NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a sharp increase in the average price of local rice across Nigeria, with a 50kg bag of short-grain rice rising by 20.5 per cent in March 2026.

According to the bureau’s Selected Food Price Watch report for March 2026, the average retail price climbed to ₦112,000 from ₦92,946 recorded in February.

Despite the official figures, market surveys in several locations indicate lower prices, with some traders reportedly selling a 50kg bag of local rice for around ₦60,000, highlighting significant price differences across markets.

Imported rice also recorded an increase during the period. The NBS said the average price of a 50kg bag rose by 3.06 per cent to ₦133,975 in March, compared to ₦110,589 in February.

The report further showed continued increases in the prices of other staple food items nationwide.

According to the NBS, the average price of a crate of 30 eggs increased by 2.0 per cent in March compared to February.

Brown beans rose by 1.41 per cent to ₦1,325.85 per kilogram, while white garri increased by 1.38 per cent to ₦801.54 per kilogram.

Similarly, onion prices rose by 1.59 per cent to ₦1,153.14 per kilogram, while fresh ginger recorded a marginal increase of 0.61 per cent to ₦5,541.25 per kilogram.

The report also highlighted sharp disparities in food prices across states.

Taraba State recorded the highest price for a crate of eggs at ₦6,999, while Niger State posted the lowest at ₦5,610.04.

For beans, Oyo State had the highest price at ₦1,937.20 per kilogram, while Taraba State recorded the lowest at ₦745.

Abia State recorded the highest price for white garri at ₦1,075.45 per kilogram, while Plateau State had the lowest at ₦513.78.

Onions were most expensive in Abia State at ₦2,115.67 per kilogram, while Kwara State recorded the lowest price at ₦829.9.

The continued rise in food prices underscores mounting pressure on household incomes as inflation persists across Nigeria’s food market.