The average daily cost of purchasing healthy food in Nigeria has surged by 32%, reaching N1,041 in May 2024, up from N786 in December 2023.
This data was revealed in the latest Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report for May 2024, released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday in Abuja.
The report also highlighted a marginal month-on-month increase of 1% in May 2024, compared to the N1,035 recorded in April. The NBS clarified that this figure represents the lower bound cost per adult per day, excluding transportation and meal preparation expenses.
Analyzing the data on a state-by-state basis, Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra had the highest CoHD, with costs of N1,225, N1,215, and N1,205, respectively. In contrast, Kano recorded the lowest CoHD at N898, followed closely by Jigawa at N899, and Yobe and Katsina at N906.
On a zonal level, the South-West reported the highest cost of a healthy diet at N1,189 per adult per day, followed by the South-East at N1,190 per day. Conversely, the North-West recorded the lowest average CoHD at N919 per adult per day.
The NBS noted that the CoHD has been steadily increasing since the first report was published in October 2023. The primary drivers of these increases have been starchy staples, legumes, nuts and seeds, and animal source foods. Meanwhile, vegetables and fruits experienced the smallest price increases on a month-on-month basis.
This development coincides with a significant rise in food inflation, which climbed for the 17th consecutive time to 40.66% in May 2024.
