The grains section of Ipaja Market is the most data-rich single-category dataset FoodPrices Nigeria has captured in a new market — 76 price points across 15 grain varieties collected on March 25, 2026. The data tells a story of two grain markets operating simultaneously under the same roof: a bean market where wholesale prices are retreating across all varieties, and a maize market where prices are surging at a pace not seen in recent collections.
Rice: Ipaja Among the Cheapest in Lagos for Short Grain
Imported short-grain rice at Ipaja Market is priced at ₦56,000 per 50kg bag — ₦7,000 below Ajah Market's ₦63,000 and ₦4,000 below Sabo Market Yaba's ₦55,000 as verified in this week's FoodPrices data. A 25kg half-bag costs ₦28,000, paint bucket ₦4,800, and derica ₦950. Long-grain commands a ₦7,000 premium at ₦63,000 per bag, ₦6,000 per paint, and ₦1,200 per derica.
Rice (Poundo) — the white rice variety used specifically for making pounded yam substitute — is the priciest rice item at ₦65,000 per bag and ₦6,000 per paint. At the start of Ramadan in February 2026, Legit.ng reported short-grain rice across Lagos markets at ₦55,000 per bag — Ipaja's current ₦56,000 price point represents minimal movement since Ramadan began, a relative stability that distinguishes it from more volatile island-facing markets.
Beans: Six Varieties, All Retreating at the Bag Level
Ipaja Market's bean selection is exceptional — six distinct varieties tracked in a single market visit, covering the full price spectrum from Beans (Olo) at ₦57,000 per bag to Beans (Oloyin) and Beans (White) both at ₦65,000.
Beans (Drum) leads the decline — down 14.29% from ₦70,000 to ₦60,000 per 50kg bag, with the 25kg bag falling from ₦35,000 to ₦30,000. Beans (Oloyin) and Beans (White) are both down 7.14% at ₦65,000 per bag from ₦70,000. The retail picture diverges: Oloyin's paint bucket has risen 10% from ₦5,000 to ₦5,500, while the derica holds at ₦1,000. Beans (Olo) and Beans (Drum) derica prices are ₦800 and ₦900 — the lowest among all varieties tracked today.
This wholesale-retail divergence is consistent with a seasonal post-harvest dynamic. BusinessDay has reported that beans prices typically decline between December and January when fresh harvest supply arrives from northern states, with traders noting prices will pick up again when the rainy season begins. Cross-market context confirms Ipaja's beans are mid-range. Legit.ng reported that NBS February 2026 data showed beans among the items driving the month-on-month food inflation rebound to 12.12% — but the Ipaja data shows beans moving in the opposite direction at the bag level this week.
Maize: +50% Wholesale, -15% Retail — A Split Market
The most analytically interesting signal in the Ipaja grains dataset is the maize split. Both Maize (Yellow) and Maize (White) have surged 50% at the bag level: from ₦40,000 to ₦60,000 per 50kg bag. Yet the paint bucket has moved in the opposite direction — down 15% from ₦2,000 to ₦1,700 for both varieties. The derica is flat at ₦500.
This reflects two different buyer populations operating at different price sensitivities. BusinessDay reported that Meristem's commodities price tracker showed rising prices for maize and sorghum halting months-long declines, attributing the reversal to Ramadan-related stockpiling and reduced farming activities.
Guinea Corn: Bag Prices Rising, Retail Easing
Guinea Corn (White) shows the same wholesale-retail divergence as maize. The 50kg bag is up 11.11% at ₦50,000 from ₦45,000. But the paint bucket is down 20% from ₦2,500 to ₦2,000 and the derica down 16.67% from ₦600 to ₦500. Guinea Corn (Yellow) makes its Ipaja Market debut at ₦45,000 per 50kg bag. Gero (Millet) also debuts at ₦50,000 per bag and ₦2,000 per paint.
Garri: Competitive, No Prior Reference
Garri (Yellow) at Ipaja Market is priced at ₦22,000 per 50kg bag — ₦500 above Mushin Market and in line with Ayobo Market. The 25kg bag is ₦11,000, paint bucket ₦1,600, and derica ₦400. These are Ipaja's inaugural garri prices — the next collection will establish whether this market tracks the Lagos average or prices differently.
Specialty Grains
Ipaja's specialty grains shelf is among the most diverse captured by FoodPrices Nigeria in any single Lagos market. Wheat is at ₦25,000 per 50kg bag. Dry Cassava is ₦16,000 per bag — the most affordable starchy base in the market. Plantain Flour is ₦24,000 per bag. Oat is ₦55,000 per bag.
What the Data Signals
The Ipaja Market grains picture on March 25, 2026 captures a commodity market in transition. If you buy beans in bulk, now is a better time than last month. If you buy maize in bulk, the opposite is true. And if you are buying rice, Ipaja is among the cheapest verified sources in Lagos this week.
Live grains prices: foodprices.ng/real-time-prices/?market=Ipaja+Market&category=Grains