Emmanuel OchayiNBS Reports Drop in Cost of Healthy Diet for August 2024
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that the average daily cost of a healthy diet per adult in Nigeria decreased in August 2024. The report showed a drop to N1,255, which is 0.8% lower than the N1,265 recorded in July 2024. This update was part of the NBS’s Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) report released in Abuja on Thursday.
“This drop is significant given the rising trend in food costs over the past months,” said an NBS spokesperson during the release. “It indicates some relief for households, although there are still regional disparities.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelRegional Variations in Healthy Diet Costs
According to the NBS, the cost of a healthy diet varied across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. The South-West region recorded the highest average CoHD in August at N1,554 per adult per day, followed by the South-South at N1,381. In contrast, the North-West reported the lowest average at N1,014 per day.
“The variation is due to differences in food availability and access across regions,” the NBS spokesperson explained.
At the state level, Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers had the highest CoHD, with Ogun leading at N1,641, followed by Lagos at N1,615 and Rivers at N1,572. On the lower end, Katsina had the cheapest diet cost at N880, while Kaduna and Sokoto followed closely with N951 and N980, respectively.
Factors Contributing to Diet Cost Changes
The NBS report highlighted several key factors driving the changes in the cost of a healthy diet across Nigeria.
“The main food groups influencing the cost include legumes, nuts, seeds, starchy staples, and vegetables,” said the NBS. “Every month, we saw a 14.5% decline in the cost of vegetables in August.”
Despite this decline, animal-based foods remained the most expensive food group to meet dietary recommendations, accounting for 37% of the total CoHD in August. These foods provided only 13% of the total calories in a standard healthy diet.
In contrast, legumes, nuts, and seeds were identified as the least expensive food group, contributing only 7% of the total CoHD, making them a more affordable option for households.
CoHD and General Inflation Trends
The NBS also noted that the CoHD had increased steadily over the past six months. In March 2024, the national average stood at N982, marking a 28% rise by August. This trend has been largely driven by the rising prices of food groups like starchy staples and animal-source foods.
“Although the CoHD increased faster than general inflation and food inflation in recent months, it is important to note that the CoHD and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are not directly comparable,” the NBS explained.
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The CoHD measures the minimum cost of meeting globally consistent dietary guidelines using locally available foods, while the CPI tracks a broader basket of goods. “The CoHD also excludes costs such as transportation and meal preparation,” the NBS added, highlighting that it serves as a more specific measure of economic access to healthy diets.
Future Projections and Household Impact
Looking ahead, experts suggest that while the recent drop in CoHD is positive, it may be temporary. The ongoing pressures of inflation and rising food prices in Nigeria could reverse the trend in the coming months.
An economist who commented on the report said, “The decrease in CoHD this month is encouraging, but it’s unclear if this reduction will be sustainable. Households are still facing considerable challenges, especially in regions where food costs remain high.”
For now, the NBS’s CoHD report for August 2024 offers a glimpse of relief for Nigerians, though regional disparities and the rising cost of animal-source foods continue to pose a challenge to maintaining affordable and healthy diets nationwide.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
