Prices of Yam, Potatoes, Plantain and Tomatoes Fall in Lagos Markets

Prices of yam, potatoes, plantain and tomatoes have declined across some major markets in Lagos, offering some relief to consumers as food inflation eases and the harvest season gets underway.

Nigeria’s food inflation rate fell to 19.57 per cent in August 2026, from 20.31 per cent in July, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

A survey of major markets in Lagos showed that prices of several staple food items have dropped compared with the previous month, although traders warned that rising transportation and storage costs could affect prices in the coming months.

At Mile 12 Market, a large basket of fresh tomatoes now sells for N55,000, down from N80,000 in July, representing a 31.25 per cent decline. A small basket sells for N30,000, while a crate costs N13,000.

The average price of a 100kg bag of sweet potatoes has also fallen significantly to N18,000 from N70,000 in July, representing a 74.3 per cent decline.

A large bunch of fresh plantain now sells for N10,500, compared with N22,000 in July. Medium and small bunches are priced at N7,000 and N3,500 respectively.

Prices of yam, melon and pepper have also recorded reductions, with farmers and traders attributing the declines partly to the harvest season, which began in August.

At Oyingbo Market, the price of a small bunch of plantain dropped from N3,500 to N3,000, while a bag of Irish potatoes declined by about 10 per cent.

However, the downward trend has not affected all food items. The price of a bag of onions has increased sharply to about N200,000 from N60,000 in July.

Similarly, a 50kg bag of foreign parboiled rice has risen to N68,000 from N58,000, while a bag of rodo pepper now sells for N175,000, up from N150,000.

Traders said the recent decline in the prices of some farm produce could be temporary, particularly as transportation costs remain high.

They also pointed to inadequate storage facilities as a major challenge that could contribute to price volatility, while higher fuel costs could increase the cost of transporting food from producing regions in northern Nigeria to major markets in the south.

The latest price movements highlight the mixed trend in Nigeria’s food markets, with increased supplies of some seasonal crops helping to lower prices while other commodities continue to record increases.