Lagos Food Prices Decline in November 2025: Relief for Staples, But Onions, Fish, and Essentials Lag Behind
Food prices in Lagos markets dipped 15-20% in November 2025 for staples like rice, garri, and tomatoes, per recent surveys, easing inflation pressures amid harvest gluts. However, onions, frozen fish, and select essentials like pepper persist at elevated levels—explore trends, causes, and tips for shoppers.
Lagos, Nigeria – Amid ongoing economic pressures, a welcome trend emerged in November 2025: Food prices across key Lagos markets like Mile 12, Mushin, Oyingbo, and Daleko have shown a broad decline, offering modest relief to households battered by inflation rates hovering near 24%. A Nairametrics market survey revealed average drops of 15-20% for staples such as rice, beans, yam, and garri, attributed to seasonal harvests and improved supply chains. Yet, exceptions persist: Onions, frozen fish (like Titus and Kote), and a handful of essentials like pepper and vegetable oil remain stubbornly high, underscoring uneven recovery in Nigeria’s volatile food ecosystem.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported headline inflation easing slightly to 24.48% in October 2025, with food inflation at 21.97%—a marginal slowdown from prior months. Traders in Mile 12 cited bumper dry-season yields in northern states like Sokoto and Kebbi as key drivers, boosting availability of tubers and grains. For consumers, this means more affordable pots of jollof rice, but persistent spikes in proteins and aromatics keep grocery bills elevated.
Overall Decline: Staples Lead the Relief Rally
November’s market snapshot paints a picture of cautious optimism. Core carbohydrates and vegetables saw the sharpest drops, thanks to post-harvest gluts and stabilized transport costs amid naira stabilization efforts.
- Rice (50kg bag): Down 15-20% to ₦75,000-₦85,000 from ₦90,000-₦95,000 in October, per Mile 12 traders.
- Garri (60kg bag): Fell to ₦37,500-₦45,000, a 20% dip from ₦57,000, driven by cassava abundance.
- Yam (tuber): Slid 18% to ₦6,000-₦8,000, with improved northern supplies.
- Tomatoes (big basket): Plummeted 70% seasonally to ₦35,000 from ₦120,000 peaks earlier in 2025.
These reductions, averaging 15-20% across staples, could shave ₦5,000-₦10,000 off monthly family grocery spends, per consumer estimates from Oyingbo market. The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture’s Food Prices Tracker corroborates this, noting a 10-15% month-on-month easing.
Stubborn Spikes: Onions, Fish, and Essentials Buck the Trend
Not all baskets are lighter—key proteins and flavor bases like onions and fish defied the downturn, with hikes tied to import dependencies, seasonal shortages, and supply chain snarls.
- Onions (big bag): Surged 28% to ₦155,000-₦202,500 from ₦115,000 in early 2025, due to northern transport bottlenecks and reduced imports.
- Titus Fish (1kg): Up 7-24% to ₦3,200-₦7,000, reflecting frozen import volatility and diesel costs.
- Pepper (big bag): Climbed 10-17% to ₦140,000, reversing prior dips amid erratic rains.
- Vegetable Oil (5L): Steady at ₦20,000 but up 5% YoY, hit by global palm oil fluctuations.
These holdouts, comprising 20-30% of typical carts, temper the relief—onions alone add ₦500-₦1,000 weekly, per Mushin shoppers. Fish prices, vital for protein in 70% of diets, exacerbate nutritional strains.
Key Price Comparison Table: November 2025 vs. October 2025 (Lagos Markets, ₦)
| Item | October Price (Avg.) | November Price (Avg.) | % Change | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (50kg bag) | 90,000-95,000 | 75,000-85,000 | -15% | Harvest glut in Kebbi/Sokoto |
| Garri (60kg bag) | 57,000 | 37,500-45,000 | -20% | Cassava surplus |
| Yam (tuber) | 7,000-8,000 | 6,000-8,000 | -18% | Improved northern transport |
| Tomatoes (basket) | 50,000-60,000 | 35,000 | -30% | Seasonal peak |
| Onions (big bag) | 115,000 | 155,000-202,500 | +28% | Supply chain issues |
| Titus Fish (1kg) | 3,000-4,200 | 3,200-7,000 | +24% | Import delays, diesel hikes |
| Pepper (big bag) | 120,000 | 140,000 | +17% | Weather disruptions |
| Veg Oil (5L) | 19,000 | 20,000 | +5% | Global palm oil volatility |
Prices averaged from Mile 12, Mushin; fluctuations ±10% by vendor.
Causes and Consumer Impact: Harvest Wins vs. Persistent Pains
The declines stem from government-backed dry-season farming in northern hubs, yielding onion alternatives like tomatoes and boosting grains—per Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari’s November 6 update. Central Bank interventions stabilized forex, easing imports for rice and oil.
For Lagos’ 20 million residents, it’s a mixed bag: A family of five saves ₦3,000-₦5,000 monthly on carbs, but proteins add ₦2,000, per Oyingbo trader Chinwe Okezie. Human Rights Watch warns persistent essentials hikes deepen poverty, with 40% of households skipping meals.
Experts predict further easing if rains normalize, but naira volatility could reverse gains by December holidays.
Tips for Savvy Shopping: Navigating the Dip
- Bulk Staples: Stock rice/garri now—savings compound.
- Local Sourcing: Northern onions alternatives like shallots save 20%.
- Fish Hacks: Opt for seasonal mackerel over Titus; markets like Daleko offer deals.
- Track Tools: Use Lagos Agric’s free Price Tracker app for real-time alerts.
November’s food price dip in Lagos signals tentative recovery, but onion-fish stubbornness reminds: Relief is uneven. As harvests flow and policies bite, households eye sustained affordability—lest festive cheer turn pricey. For now, savor the savings where they land.
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Sources: Nairametrics, The Nation Newspaper, Numbeo, THISDAYLIVE, Blueprint, Business Hallmark, Human Rights Watch, Expatistan, Federal Ministry of Information (November 2025). For live prices, visit Nairametrics Food Price Watch.