CTN Market Watch: Week 18 – 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 18.

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) fell another 2% – expect mild local imported rice relief by Week 19.
· Palm oil futures down 3% on higher Malaysia stockpiles – local palm oil may dip slightly in 10–14 days.
· Wheat prices stable but Ukraine ports disrupted – flour and bread could rise if tension continues.
· Global sugar prices up 5% after Brazil crop delay – local sugar will likely increase from Week 20.
· Crude oil at $87/barrel – transport fuel costs remain a pressure point for food distribution.

What this means for you:
Delay bulk rice and palm oil buying if possible. Buy sugar now for 2–3 weeks ahead. Bread is still okay weekly.

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Week 18 market snapshot (April 27 – May 3)

· Tomato prices rising again in Southwest as dry season harvest ends – buy quickly.
· Onions still expensive in the North – no major arrival of new stock.
· Beans (oloyin) cheapest in North-Central (Benue, Nasarawa) – 15% less than Lagos.
· Frozen chicken prices up slightly due to diesel cost increases for cold rooms.
· Palm oil steady in South-South but up 5% in Lagos from transport issues.

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

Southwest (Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta)

· Tomatoes (1 basket): ₦26,000–₦29,000 – best at Ile-Epo, Oke-Arin (buy early morning)
· Ewedu leaves (bunch): ₦250–₦350 – Oje market Ibadan, cheaper than Lagos
· Rice (50kg foreign parboiled): ₦77,000–₦81,000 – Daleko, lower than last week
· Frozen chicken (1kg): ₦4,000–₦4,500 – Oyingbo cold rooms, ask for “previous stock” discount

Southeast (Enugu, Onitsha, Aba)

· Garri (white, 2kg sack): ₦1,900–₦2,300 – Ogbete Main Market (back section cheapest)
· Crayfish (ground, small paint rubber): ₦1,100–₦1,400 – Ariaria market, buy midweek
· Oil bean seed (ukpaka, 1 cup): ₦800–₦1,000 – New Market Enugu, Wednesdays only
· Goat meat (1kg): ₦4,800–₦5,300 – Relief Market Onitsha – haggling works before 9am

North (Kano, Kaduna, Abuja)

· Onions (1 big bag, 50kg): ₦120,000–₦135,000 – Kurmi Market Kano – avoid buying now if not urgent
· Sweet potatoes (1 heap): ₦1,300–₦1,600 – Dei-Dei Abuja, Saturday discounts
· Beans (oloyin, 1 mudu): ₦1,400–₦1,700 – Singa Market Zaria – best value nationwide
· Groundnut oil (1 litre): ₦3,000–₦3,400 – Wuse Market, evening prices lower

South-South (PH, Warri, Uyo)

· Fresh catfish (medium size, 1kg): ₦3,000–₦3,500 – Mile 1 Diobu PH – higher due to fuel costs
· Plantain (bunch, ripe): ₦3,200–₦3,800 – Iwofe road market – buy green and ripen at home
· Palm oil (1 litre, native thick): ₦2,600–₦3,000 – Effurun market Warri – stable
· Smoked bonga fish (big piece): ₦550–₦750 – Uyo main market – buy in bulk for better rate

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Price trend analysis for Week 18 – what’s up, what’s down

· Tomatoes up 15% from last week – buy now, prices will climb further.
· Beans down 8% in North-Central – best time to stock up.
· Eggs (1 crate): ₦3,100–₦3,400 – slight rise from feed cost increases.
· Bread (600g sliced loaf): up another ₦100 – flour pressure continues.
· Secondhand clothing (okrika): still cheap – Aba and Lagos boundary markets remain best bets.

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Shopping tip of the week
For tomatoes: buy firm, slightly orange-red ones if you need them to last 5–7 days. Wash, dry fully, then store in a cool, shaded basket – not plastic bags. Plastic traps moisture and speeds spoilage. Save 25% of your tomato budget by not throwing away rotten ones too early.