Lagos Food Market Records Mixed Price Changes in August 2025

Food prices in Lagos showed mixed movements between July and August 2025, with key staples such as Titus (Mackerel) fish and pepper posting sharp hikes, while items like garri, onions, and melon saw steep declines, according to the latest Nairametrics Food Price Survey.

The survey, covering Mushin, Mile 12, Oyingbo, and Daleko markets, found that 14 out of 70 food items recorded price increases—driven by higher import costs, transportation challenges, seasonal scarcity, and currency weakness—while most tracked items became cheaper due to harvest-season supply boosts.

Biggest Price Hikes

• Titus (Mackerel) fish: +14.29% (?7,000 ? ?8,000/kg)
• Oloyin beans (50kg): +11.11% (?90,000 ? ?100,000)
• Big bag of pepper: +10.71% (?140,000 ? ?155,000)
• Power Pasta (500g): +10.53% (?950 ? ?1,050)
• Olaola Poundo Yam Flour (2.267kg): +10% (?25,000 ? ?27,500)

Sharpest Price Drops

• White garri (50kg): ?33.33% (?45,000 ? ?30,000)
• Dry onions (big bag): ?15.38% (?130,000 ? ?110,000)
• Melon/egusi (big bag): ?15.15% (?330,000 ? ?280,000)
• Abuja yam (big tuber): ?14.29% (?7,000 ? ?6,000)
• Yellow garri (50kg): ?10.53% (?38,000 ? ?34,000)

Market Reactions
Traders blamed the hikes in fish, beans, and pepper on rains disrupting harvest and transport, plus rising fuel and import costs. Garri, onions, and melon prices fell sharply due to surplus supply from ongoing harvests. Buyers said they were shifting to cheaper foods such as garri and potatoes to cope.

Outlook
Analysts expect month-on-month food inflation to slow slightly in August due to falling prices in major staples, but year-on-year inflation will likely remain high as most food items are still costlier than in 2024. The festive season could push prices back up later in the year.