The price of a 50kg bag of local rice has climbed to ₦112,000, raising fresh concerns over food inflation and household survival in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s food inflation crisis has deepened further as the average price of a 50kg bag of local rice surged to ₦112,000 in March 2026, according to new data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The latest figures represent a sharp 20.5 percent increase from the ₦92,946 average recorded in February, highlighting the growing pressure on household incomes across the country.
Imported rice prices also recorded an increase during the same period, with the average price of a 50kg bag rising by 3.06 percent to ₦133,975 from ₦110,589 previously.
The figures were contained in the NBS Selected Food Price Watch report for March 2026, which showed continued increases across several staple food commodities.
Beyond rice, the bureau reported price increases in eggs, beans, garri, onions, and ginger, indicating that inflationary pressure remains widespread across Nigeria’s food market.
According to the report, a crate of eggs rose by 2 percent month-on-month, while brown beans increased to ₦1,325.85 per kilogram. White garri climbed to ₦801.54 per kilogram, while onions and ginger also recorded notable increases.
The sharp rise in rice prices is particularly significant because rice remains one of Nigeria’s most consumed staple foods.
For millions of low- and middle-income households, rice is considered a daily necessity due to its affordability, accessibility, and convenience.
However, with local rice now averaging ₦112,000 per 50kg bag, analysts say affordability concerns are intensifying.
The development means that a worker earning Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage can no longer afford a single 50kg bag of local rice using an entire month’s salary.
Economists attribute the rising prices to multiple factors, including transportation costs, fuel prices, foreign exchange pressures, insecurity affecting farming communities, and broader inflationary trends within the economy.
The continued depreciation of the naira has also increased the cost of agricultural inputs, logistics, and imported food products.
Although there were earlier reports of temporary rice price reductions in some markets following government tariff waivers and increased imports, the latest NBS figures suggest that those gains may not have been sustained nationally.
Market checks cited by Vanguard also showed wide pricing variations across locations, with some areas reportedly selling local rice for around ₦60,000 despite the official national average.
This disparity reflects differences in supply chains, transportation costs, market structure, and local availability across states.
The NBS report also highlighted major state-by-state differences in food prices.
Taraba State recorded the highest average price for a crate of eggs at ₦6,999, while Niger State recorded the lowest at ₦5,610.04.
For beans, Oyo State posted the highest average price at ₦1,937.20 per kilogram, while Taraba recorded the lowest at ₦745.
Similarly, Abia State recorded the highest average price for garri and onions, reflecting uneven food pricing patterns across the federation.
Food inflation has remained one of Nigeria’s biggest economic challenges over the past two years, with rising prices significantly affecting living standards.
Households are increasingly adjusting spending patterns, reducing food portions, or switching to cheaper alternatives in response to persistent price increases.
Analysts warn that continued food inflation could worsen poverty levels, deepen malnutrition risks, and reduce consumer purchasing power.
The development also raises concerns for businesses operating within Nigeria’s food supply chain, particularly restaurants, food vendors, and manufacturers dependent on rice and other staple commodities.
Experts say stabilising food prices will require stronger agricultural productivity, improved security in farming areas, lower logistics costs, and more effective economic management.
There are also growing calls for expanded investment in local agriculture, storage infrastructure, irrigation systems, and rural transportation networks to reduce supply disruptions.
As inflation continues to reshape household spending across the country, food affordability is emerging as one of the defining economic concerns for millions of Nigerians.
Ultimately, the latest rise in rice prices highlights the broader reality facing consumers — the cost of feeding is increasingly becoming one of the heaviest burdens in Nigeria’s struggling economy.