Against the backdrop of sustained inflationary pressures, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a significant increase in the cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD), rising by 32% to N1,041 per adult per day in May 2024 from N786 in December 2023.
According to the latest CoHD report released by the NBS yesterday, this surge is attributed to notable price hikes in starchy staples, legumes, nuts and seeds, and animal source foods.
The analysis reveals a steady upward trend in CoHD over the past six months, starting from December 2023. In January 2024, the cost increased by 9.2% month-on-month to N858, followed by a 9.3% rise to N938 in February and a further 4.7% increase to N982 in March. April saw a 5.4% uptick to N1,035, culminating in a marginal 0.6% rise to N1,041 in May.
“The national average cost of a healthy diet stood at N1,041 per adult per day in May 2024, marking a 32% increase from December 2023,” the report stated. It also noted that animal source foods constituted the largest share of the CoHD expenditure, accounting for 36% to provide 13% of the total calories.
Fruits and vegetables, while crucial, were the most expensive food groups per calorie, making up 11% and 12% of the total CoHD respectively, yet contributing only 7.0% and 5.0% of the total calories in the diet basket. In contrast, legumes, nuts, and seeds were identified as the least expensive food group on average, comprising 7.0% of the total cost.
At the state level, Ebonyi State recorded the highest average CoHD at N1,225 per adult per day, whereas Kano State reported the lowest cost at N898. Regionally, the South East had the highest average CoHD of N1,189 per day, with the North West recording the lowest at N919 per day.
The NBS emphasized the necessity for informed policy responses to mitigate the impact of rising food costs, especially concerning the affordability and accessibility of nutritious diets across different regions of Nigeria.
