Nigerian jollof rice costs drop 11.5% as harvests lower protein and oil prices

The expense of cooking jollof rice across Nigeria decreased by 11.5 per cent from June to September 2026, marking the sharpest quarterly reduction since the metric began in 2016. SBM Intelligence’s research shows the national average cost fell from N29,578 to N26,178 during this period. The firm identified falling prices for chicken, beef and vegetable oil as the primary drivers, coinciding with the arrival of seasonal harvests. Premium Times noted that rice itself contributed minimally to this drop, with its price movement across the 13 monitored markets totaling just N50.

The price reduction was unevenly distributed geographically. In Lagos, ingredient costs for the dish fell by 35.6 per cent, dropping from N34,700 to N22,350 in major markets. Conversely, Port Harcourt was the only location where costs rose, increasing by 2.6 per cent to N32,000 due to late-September flooding that disrupted local supply chains. SBM Intelligence also flagged a data error in Ibadan involving spice prices, which led the firm to adjust the national decline estimate to 8.5 per cent after correcting the discrepancy.

Despite the quarterly improvement, the overall cost of the meal remains significantly higher than in previous years. Punch reported that the September figure was still 5.8 per cent above the level recorded in September 2025 and 540 per cent higher than the July 2016 baseline. The report indicated that while some households resumed buying protein, many still struggled with stagnant incomes. One respondent in Kano State noted that although the price of chicken fell from N7,000 to N4,500 per kilogram, their overall income had not increased to match the broader economic pressures.

SBM Intelligence warned that the current relief is seasonal, linked to harvest cycles and lower animal feed costs. The firm observed that transportation expenses rose in seven of the eight markets surveyed, which could offset food price gains. The report concluded that while the dish is cheaper than it was in June, it remains dearer than it was last September, and the household budget arithmetic has not fundamentally changed due to persistent costs in rent, school fees and electricity.