CTN Market Watch: Week 17 – Where to shop smart this week

Column summary intro:
Welcome to CTN Market Watch – your weekly companion for finding quality goods at reasonable prices across Nigeria. Each week, we break down current market trends, highlight the best spots to buy staple foods, vegetables, protein, and household items, and help you avoid price gouging. Plus: global price moves that affect your wallet. Here’s what’s happening in Week 17.

Why keep coming back to CTN?
Because we don’t just give prices — we tell you where to go, when to buy, and what’s coming next week. No other platform breaks down local and global market shifts this clearly, this fast, and this free. Bookmark this column.

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Global market brief – how the world affects your shopping this week

· Global rice prices (Thai 5% broken) dropped 3% in the last 10 days – imported rice may soften locally by Week 18.
· Palm oil futures on Bursa Malaysia fell 4% – expect local palm oil price stability or slight dip in 2 weeks.
· Wheat prices rose 2% on Black Sea supply concerns – bread and pasta may edge up again soon.
· Global sugar prices are flat, but India restricted exports – watch for local sugar increases from Week 19.
· Crude oil holds at $85/barrel – transport costs remain a factor for food distribution inside Nigeria.

What this means for you:
Buy imported rice now only if urgent. Hold off on bulk palm oil purchases for 7–10 days. Bread is okay to buy weekly but not long-term storage.

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Week 17 market snapshot (April 20–26)

· Tomato prices eased slightly in the Southwest due to fresh harvests from Oyo State.
· Onions remain high in the North because of storage gaps from last season.
· Beans (brown and Honey/oloyin) are most affordable in Benue and Nasarawa.
· Frozen chicken and turkey are cheapest in Lagos’ wholesale markets when buying 5kg packs.
· Palm oil is stable in the South-South but 12% costlier in the Southeast due to transport.

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Best buys by region – what to pay (reasonable cost guide)

Southwest (Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta)

· Tomatoes (1 basket): ₦22,000–₦25,000 – best at Idi-Oro, Mushin
· Ewedu leaves (bunch): ₦200–₦300 – Oyingbo market, mornings only
· Rice (50kg foreign parboiled): ₦78,000–₦82,000 – Daleko, Alaba Rago
· Frozen chicken (1kg): ₦3,800–₦4,200 – Agege wholesale cold rooms

Southeast (Enugu, Onitsha, Aba)

· Garri (white, 2kg sack): ₦1,800–₦2,200 – Ogbete Main Market
· Crayfish (ground, small paint rubber): ₦1,000–₦1,300 – Ariaria market
· Oil bean seed (ukpaka, 1 cup): ₦700–₦900 – New Market Enugu
· Goat meat (1kg): ₦4,500–₦5,000 – Relief Market Onitsha, by 8am

North (Kano, Kaduna, Abuja)

· Onions (1 big bag, 50kg): ₦110,000–₦125,000 – Kurmi Market Kano
· Sweet potatoes (1 heap): ₦1,200–₦1,500 – Dei-Dei Abuja
· Beans (oloyin, 1 mudu): ₦1,500–₦1,800 – Singa Market Zaria
· Groundnut oil (1 litre): ₦2,900–₦3,300 – Wuse Market (lower after 4pm)

South-South (PH, Warri, Uyo)

· Fresh catfish (medium size, 1kg): ₦2,800–₦3,200 – Mile 1 Diobu PH
· Plantain (bunch, ripe): ₦3,000–₦3,500 – Iwofe road market
· Palm oil (1 litre, native thick): ₦2,500–₦2,800 – Effurun market Warri
· Smoked bonga fish (big piece): ₦500–₦700 – Uyo main market, rear section

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Price trend analysis for Week 17 – what’s up, what’s down

· Tomatoes down 9% from last week – good time to buy and dry/preserve.
· Beans prices flat, but demand rising ahead of Ramadan second half.
· Eggs (1 crate): ₦3,000–₦3,300 nationwide – slight dip in Ogun State farms.
· Bread (600g sliced loaf): up ₦100–₦150 due to flour and sugar adjustments.
· Secondhand clothing (okrika): best bargains in Aba and Lagos boundary markets – 20% cheaper than two months ago.

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Shopping tip of the week
Buy your frozen foods on Tuesday mornings. Wholesale cold rooms restock Sunday night to Monday, and by Tuesday they offer discounts on remaining previous stock to make space. Savings: 10–15% on chicken, turkey, and fish fillets.