Average Cost Of Healthy Diet Increases By 19.2 Per Cent In 1 Month – NBS

The National Average Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) jumped to N1,241, representing a 19.2 per cent increase in June from the N1,041 recorded in May 2024. This is according to the latest report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The CoHD represents the least expensive mix of locally available items that align with globally consistent food-based dietary guidelines. It serves as a benchmark for both physical and economic access to healthy diets, excluding transportation and meal preparation costs.

Inflation reached 34.19 per cent in June, a 0.24 per cent increase from May 2024, according to NBS figures.

In June 2024, the South West recorded the highest average CoHD at ₦1,545 per adult in a day, compared to ₦956 per adult per day in the North West.

Recent trends showed that the CoHD has been rising faster than both general and food inflation.

At the state level, Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun reported the highest costs at ₦1,640, ₦1,599, and ₦1,557, respectively. Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa had the lowest costs at ₦878, ₦926, and ₦937.

By zone, the South West Zone had the highest average CoHD at ₦1,545 per day, followed by the South-South Zone at ₦1,376 per day. The North West Zone recorded the lowest at ₦956 per day.

Animal-source foods were the priciest to meet, making up 35 per cent of the total CoHD while providing only 13 per cent of total calories. Fruits and vegetables were the most expensive per calorie, comprising 11 per cent and 17 per cent of the total CoHD but only contributing 7 per cent and 5 per cent of the total calories. Legumes, nuts, and seeds were the least costly, at 7 per cent of the total cost.

The CoHD has been climbing steadily over the past six months, since January 2024. By June 2024, it was 45 per cent higher than in January (₦858) and 19 per cent higher than in May (₦1,041).

According to the report, the main drivers of this increase are vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and starchy staples.

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