Cost of healthy diet resumes upward trend, hits N1,346 in Sept
The Cost of a Healthy Diet, CoHD, resumed its upward trend rising by 7.2 percent to N1,346 per adult per day (papd) in September from N1,255/ papd in August.
Details of data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics CoHD report for September released yesterday showed that CoHD has risen for six consecutive months and declined slightly in August by 0.79 percent from N1,265 in July. However, it resumed its upward trend in September.
NBS said: “The National average CoHD was N1,346 per adult per day in September 2024.
“Animal Source foods were the most expensive food group recommendation to meet in September, accounting for 36 percent of the total CoHD to provide 13 percent of the total calories.
“Fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of price per calorie; they accounted for 11 percent and 15 percent, respectively, of total CoHD while providing only 7 percent and 5 percent of total calories in the Healthy Diet Basket. Legumes, Nuts and Seeds were the least-expensive food group on average, at 7 percent of the total cost.
“(CoHD) has been steadily rising over the past six (6) months, since April 2024. In September 2024, the CoHD was 30 percent higher than it was in April 2024 (N1,035).
“The main drivers of this increase in CoHD are Legumes, Nuts and Seeds, Starchy Staples and Animal source foods.
“At the State level Osun, Ogun and Lagos States recorded the highest cost with N1,661, N1,650, and N1,639 respectively. Katsina, Jigawa and Kebbi accounted for the lowest costs with N1,043, N1,087 and N1,118 respectively.
“At the Zonal level, the average CoHD was highest in the South West Zone at N1,598 per day, followed by South-South Zone with N1,462 per day.
