Nigerian Jollof Rice Cost Jumps 14.6% to N29,578 as Food Inflation Bites
The national average cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice rose from N25,798 in July 2025 to N29,578 in June 2026, a 14.6 percent increase, according to the SBM Intelligence Jollof Index Q2 2026 report. The index was rebased in July 2025 with updated ingredient measures and now tracks 12 key items across 13 markets in Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Prices vary widely: Calabar Municipal is the most expensive at N34,750, while Awka remains the cheapest at N22,050. Lagos markets saw the sharpest jump, with Trade Fair and Balogun up 49.6 percent, whereas Bauchi recorded a 16.7 percent decline after earlier hyperinflation. The National Bureau of Statistics recorded Nigeria's food inflation at 17.52 percent year-on-year in June. The report cites extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, currency weakness, and import reliance as drivers, noting consumers are responding by buying smaller quantities, substituting fresh produce with dried or processed alternatives, and reducing portions—coping strategies, not solutions. How are you adjusting your food budget or shopping habits in response to these rising costs?