The National Bureau of Statistics has revealed that prices of essential food items, including beef, rice, beans, onion, yam, and others, witnessed notable increases in September. This information was disclosed in the “Selected Food Prices Watch Report for September 2023,” released in Abuja on Monday.
According to the report, the average price of 1kg of boneless beef surged by 28.08 percent, rising from N2,199.37 in September 2022 to N2,816.91 in September 2023. On a month-on-month basis, the price of 1kg of boneless beef increased by 0.62 percent in September, compared to the N2,799.51 recorded in August 2023.
The report further outlined that the average price of 1kg of local rice escalated by 60.59 percent on a year-on-year basis, soaring from N471.42 in September 2022 to N757.06 in September 2023. On a month-on-month basis, the price of 1kg of local rice experienced a 2.48 percent increase, compared to the N738.74 recorded in August 2023.
In addition, the report indicated that the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 28.76 percent on a year-on-year basis, surging from N556.81 in September 2022 to N716.97 in September 2023. On a month-on-month basis, the price of 1kg of brown beans rose by 3.47 percent, as it climbed from the N692.95 recorded in August 2023 to N716.97 in September 2023.
The data provided in the report underscores the growing costs of staple food items, highlighting the challenges faced by consumers in accessing and affording essential goods. The rising prices of these items are a matter of concern, and the government may need to implement measures to address the affordability and availability of these vital food products.
