Top 10 Most Expensive Foods in Nigeria This Christmas Season

As Nigerians look forward to another Christmas season, they are faced with the harsh reality of drastically increased food prices, making the festive period less joyous for many. 

Between last December and now, the cost of essential food items has more than tripled, presenting a stark contrast between celebration for the affluent and hardship for the average citizen.

Food Prices that have increased are rice, beans, groundnut oil, and yam. Even poultry and fish, once considered affordable, have become luxuries for many Nigerians. According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation has escalated to 33.88% in October, with food inflation hitting a staggering 39.16%.

This inflation has severely impacted the ability of many to maintain a balanced diet, which is essential for health and productivity, ultimately slowing down economic growth. The NBS reported that the cost of a nutritious diet increased by 113% to N1,346 in September 2024, up from N631 in September 2023.

Here are the top 10 Most expensive Foods in Nigeria:

Rice: A staple in Nigerian diets, the price for a bag of rice has jumped by 75%, from N60,000 last December to N105,000. With rice being a common dish during Christmas, many families might have to seek alternatives this festive season.

Live Chicken: Essential for festive meals, whether grilled or fried, the price of live chicken has risen by 66.67%, from N25,000 to N45,000.

Vegetable Oil: With a 228.57% increase, five liters of vegetable oil that sold for N7,000 last year now costs up to N23,000. Many households are turning to palm oil as a cheaper alternative.

Palm Oil: Even this substitute has seen an 83.33% price increase, from N6,000 to about N11,000.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes saw a modest increase of 8%, from N25,000 to N27,000 per basket, influenced by the seasonal post-harvest rise in prices.

Turkey: As an alternative protein source to chicken, the price for one kilo of turkey has increased by 34.62%, from N5,200 to N7,000.

Eggs: A crate of eggs has more than doubled in price, soaring by 130.76% from N2,600 to N6,000, driven by the rising costs of poultry feed.

Onions: The price of onions has increased by 111%, from N592.80 to N1,251.50 per kilogram.

Yam: The price for one kilogram of yam rose by 148%, from N687.70 to N1,251.50.

Garri: Once considered a budget-friendly option, the price for 50kg of garri has increased by 60.87%, from N23,000 to about N37,000.