The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Abuja remains significantly high despite signs of moderating food inflation year-on-year.

This is according to a market survey conducted by Nairametrics across Orange Market, Nyanya Market and Karu Market in Abuja.

The survey found that the average Nigerian adult now spends between N1,500 and N2,000 daily to meet basic nutritional requirements, translating to between N45,000 and N60,000 monthly.

For an average family of four to five persons, monthly feeding expenses now range between N250,000 and N300,000, demonstrating the continued pressure on household incomes despite recent improvements in inflation metrics.

An analysis of prevailing market prices for rice, beans, garri, eggs, beef, vegetable oil, and fresh produce indicates that an average family of five now requires between N9,000 and N10,000 daily, or about N270,000 to N300,000 monthly, to maintain a basic healthy diet.

The development comes as food prices remain elevated across major markets nationwide, driven by transportation costs, insecurity in food-producing areas, supply chain challenges, and seasonal fluctuations in agricultural output.

Food staples continue to trade at relatively high levels across major markets surveyed by Nairametrics.

The elevated prices have continued to squeeze household budgets despite signs of easing inflation.

“Food inflation is not only about agricultural production. The cost of moving goods from farms to markets has increased significantly due to fuel prices, poor road infrastructure and logistics challenges. These costs are eventually transferred to consumers,” said Dr. Almaroof Ojerinde, an economist at the University of Abuja.

“Many farmers are producing below capacity because of security concerns, while unpredictable weather patterns have impacted yields in some regions. Even when production improves, transportation and storage challenges often prevent consumers from benefiting fully from lower farm-gate prices,” said agricultural economist Dr. Aisha Mohammed.

“When households spend a larger share of their income on food, they often cut back on protein, fruits and vegetables. The result is that people may be eating enough calories but not necessarily getting adequate nutrition,” said public health nutritionist Chinenye Chibuzor.

“Even when we buy products at relatively stable prices from suppliers, the cost of bringing them to Abuja keeps increasing. Loading charges, fuel costs and multiple levies along the roads all affect final prices,” said Ibrahim Musa, a rice wholesaler at Orange Market.

The comments reflect growing concerns that structural challenges within Nigeria’s food supply chain continue to keep food prices elevated.

A review of food prices across the surveyed markets shows that staple commodities remain expensive.

A 50kg bag of imported rice sells between N55,000 and N65,000, while local rice ranges from N45,000 to N55,000.

Beans cost between N4,000 and N6,500 per paint bucket depending on variety and location.

Garri sells for between N2,000 and N3,500 per paint bucket, while a crate of eggs costs between N6,000 and N8,500.

Vegetable oil remains expensive, with a 25-litre keg selling between N55,000 and N61,200, while beef ranges from N4,500 to N6,500 per kilogram.

Fresh produce prices also remain volatile.

A large basket of tomatoes currently costs between N35,000 and N80,000, while pepper sells for between N45,000 and N150,000 per bag.

Onion prices range from N60,000 to N115,000 per bag.

A comparison with May 2025 prices shows mixed trends.

While bean prices have moderated from between N7,000 and N9,000 per paint bucket recorded a year ago, garri has recorded one of the sharpest increases, rising from between N650 and N900 per paint bucket to as high as N3,500 currently.

Food accounts for the largest share of household spending for most Nigerians, making price movements a key determinant of living standards and purchasing power.

Although inflation has slowed compared to the levels recorded in 2024 and early 2025, food prices remain elevated by historical standards.

“Two years ago, N100,000 could buy enough food for several weeks. Today, that amount disappears very quickly. We now buy smaller quantities and avoid some items that have become too expensive,” said Ngozi Eze, a civil servant and mother of four.

“My income has not increased at the same rate as food prices. Sometimes I have to choose between buying fuel for work and buying certain food items for my family. It is becoming harder to maintain a balanced diet,” said commercial driver Sani Bello.

The experiences of traders and consumers highlight the continued strain that food costs are placing on both businesses and households across the country.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 15.69% in April 2026 from 15.38% in March.

Food inflation stood at 16.06% year-on-year, significantly lower than the 24.68% recorded in April 2025.

The NBS attributed the increase in food prices to higher costs of millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, garri, beans, tomatoes, wheat grain, soybeans and plantain.

Imported rice sold between N55,000 and N70,000 per 50kg bag in May 2025, while local rice ranged from N50,000 to N58,000.

Crates of eggs sold between N5,500 and N6,500 a year ago, compared to N6,000 and N8,500 currently.

Nairametrics reported earlier that the average daily cost of maintaining a healthy diet climbed to N1,513 per adult in February 2026.