Food prices across Lagos markets eased in January 2026, reversing much of the festive-driven surge seen in December, although cost pressures remain visible in key protein and processed food categories.
This is according to the January Lagos Food Market Survey conducted by the Naijaonpoint Research Team across Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12, and Oyingbo markets.
While improved supply conditions and softer post-holiday demand helped drive broad price corrections, rising logistics, energy, and import-linked costs continued to push up prices for select food items.
The survey shows that everyday food inflation dynamics in Lagos are becoming increasingly mixed, with welcome relief in perishables like pepper and tomatoes, but persistent strain on household budgets from fish, vegetable oil, and packaged beverages.
The January 2026 Lagos food market survey shows a broad-based decline in food prices compared to December 2025, signaling a post-festive correction across major markets.
Out of the 68 food items tracked, the majority recorded price drops, reflecting improved supply flows and normalization of demand after the holidays.
Food prices in Lagos surged in December 2025 as holiday demand, logistics bottlenecks, and seasonal supply constraints combined to push market prices higher.
This seasonal spike is a recurring feature of Nigeria’s food economy, particularly for perishables and festive-linked consumption items.
However, structural cost drivers such as diesel prices, cold-chain logistics, and import-dependent inputs continue to limit how far prices can fall.
While sector-wide inflation eased, 15 food items in Lagos posted notable increases in January 2026, with consumers in Mushin, Mile 12, Daleko, and Oyingbo feeling the pinch on several fronts:
Other staple prices that climbed include:
Traders attribute the surge in PowerOil to rising costs of repackaging and transport after the holidays, while processed cocoa beverages rose because promotional discounts ended after seasonal sales.
Fish sellers report that cold-chain diesel, lower catches and import exposure contributed to the increase in the price of proteins.
January brought broad price reductions across 49 items, largely driven by post-holiday supply normalization, improved haulage from production zones, and seasonal harvest inflows. For many Lagos residents, this brought welcome relief.
Other notable declines are:
Other staples like bush mango (ogbono), mamador vegetable oil, short grain rice (Royal Stallion), etc., also softened by double digits as rural supply chains stabilized and demand from festive hosting abated.
Other staples like bush mango (ogbono), mamador vegetable oil, short grain rice (Royal Stallion), etc., also softened by double digits as rural supply chains stabilized and demand from festive hosting abated.
Overall, traders reported that wholesale competition in early 2026 has returned to pre-holiday norms, allowing these price corrections.
A small but noticeable group of about 4 items remained virtually unchanged from December into January, ranging from minimie noodles, titus (mackerel) fish, Lipton Yellow Label tea and a bi-size tuber of Abuja yam, whose supply contracts and retail pricing are less sensitive to short-term seasonal swings.
Mrs. Lolade – frozen food seller, Daleko
Mr. Chijioke, a grain trader, Mushin
Ms. Cynthia – groceries trader, Oyingbo
Mrs. Binta Suleiman – food vendor, Mile 12
Mrs. Aisha, a mother of three in Mushin, had mixed feelings about the price movement.
The Naijaonpoint Food Price Watch is a monthly market survey tracking the prices of major food items across Nigeria.
This report specifically covers four key markets in Lagos State: Mushin Market, Daleko Market, Oyingbo Market, and Mile 12 Market.
The survey provides up-to-date insights into food price trends, helping businesses, policymakers, and consumers make informed decisions.