BY Olalekan Adigun

The retail price of a 50-kilogram bag of rice across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones has shown notable variations in the first week of May 2026, with consumers in the North-Central region enjoying the lowest prices, while buyers in parts of the South-South continue to pay the highest rates.

A market survey conducted by Nairametrics during the first week of May 2026 shows that the price of one of Nigeria’s most consumed staple foods now ranges between N53,000 and N82,000, depending on location, transportation costs, supply chain efficiency, and regional demand.

The survey, which tracked prices of popular rice brands such as Big Bull, BUA Foods Rice, and Royal Stallion, reveals that prices have continued to stabilize in several markets following improved domestic supply and relative stability in the foreign exchange market.

Abuja (North Central) – N53,000 and N55,500

In Abuja, representing the North-Central zone, a 50-kilogram bag of rice currently sells between N53,000 and N55,500, making the nation’s capital the most affordable market among the six geopolitical zones surveyed in the first week of May 2026.

This marks a significant year-on-year decline when compared with mid-May 2025, when a 50kg bag of imported rice in Abuja sold for between N80,000 and N85,000, indicating a price reduction of more than N25,000 within one year.

Market traders in the Federal Capital Territory attributed the relative affordability to improved access to supply corridors from major rice-producing states such as Niger, Benue, and Kogi, as well as reduced transportation bottlenecks and improved availability of locally milled rice brands in the Abuja market.

Some distributors also linked the price moderation to improved domestic production, increased competition among wholesalers, and relative stability in the foreign exchange market, which has helped reduce pressure on imported food commodities and logistics costs.

Lagos (South West) – N55,000 to N65,000 

In Lagos, representing the South-West region, the price of a 50-kilogram bag of rice currently ranges between N55,000 and N65,000, depending on the brand, packaging, and point of purchase across major markets in the commercial hub.

The current pricing reflects relative stability compared to May 2025, when a 50kg bag of imported rice in Lagos traded between N55,000 and N75,000, indicating that while prices have remained within a similar lower band, the upper price range has moderated significantly over the past year.

Traders in major distribution centres such as Mile 12 Market attributed the relative price moderation to increased competition among distributors, improved supply from local rice millers, and more consistent inflows through import channels.

Kaduna (North West) – N60,000 

In the North-West, buyers in Kaduna currently purchase a 50kg bag of rice at an average price of about N60,000, reflecting relatively stable supply conditions supported by nearby agricultural-producing belts.

Between April and early May 2025, prices for 50kg bags of imported parboiled rice across Kaduna and surrounding northern markets recorded a noticeable decline, with prevailing market prices ranging from approximately N57,000 to N70,000.

The reduction has been attributed to improved market supply, increased inflows from major distribution channels, and easing pressure on food commodity demand in parts of the region.

Bauch (North East) – N60,000 and N61,500 

Similarly, in the North-East, market surveys in Bauchi indicated that a 50kg bag of rice sold for between N60,000 and N61,500, making the state one of the more affordable rice markets in the region despite persistent transportation costs and security-related logistical constraints.

However, by May 2025, prices in some North-Eastern markets had risen significantly, with 50kg bags trading within the N80,000 to N90,000 range due to supply disruptions, higher distribution costs, and broader inflationary pressures affecting food commodities.

However, prices remain significantly higher in southern Nigeria.

Rivers (South South) – N75,000 and N82,000 

In Rivers State, representing the South-South zone, market prices for a 50kg bag of rice ranged from about N55,500 to over N70,000 as of May 2025, with some premium brands selling as high as N75,000 to N82,000 — among the highest recorded in the survey.

Traders in Port Harcourt attributed the elevated prices to rising transportation costs, multiple layers within the distribution chain, and generally high operating expenses associated with moving food commodities across the region.

Imo (South East) – N78,000 

In the South-East, market surveys in Imo indicated that prices for a 50kg bag of rice ranged between N55,000 and N75,000 as of May 2025, depending on the brand, quality, and point of purchase. In some urban retail outlets and premium markets, prices were observed to reach between N65,000 and N78,000, reflecting variations in distribution costs and consumer demand across the state.

The latest pricing data highlights a widening regional gap of nearly N29,000 between the cheapest and most expensive rice markets in the country.

Checks show that while rice prices have generally moderated compared with the sharp spikes seen in 2024 and early 2025, regional disparities continue to reflect broader structural issues including poor transport infrastructure, insecurity along supply routes, energy costs, and differences in proximity to major rice milling clusters.

The improving availability of locally milled brands such as Big Bull and BUA Foods Rice, alongside relative exchange rate stability, is also helping to cushion pressure on food prices.

With food inflation remaining a major concern for households and policymakers alike, the latest market survey offers cautious optimism that staple food prices may continue to stabilize if current supply conditions and macroeconomic reforms are sustained.

Published Date: May 9, 2026