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Tubers1 tuber

Yam (Medium Tuber)

Current price
₦2,800
per 1 tuber · Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture price tracker, July 2026 · 31 July 2026
▲ 12%

Price history

UpdatedMarketLatestSource
31 July 2026Lagos State tracker₦2,800Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture price tracker, July 2026
15 May 2026Mile 12₦2,500Lagos State Govt
15 April 2026Mile 12₦2,700Lagos State Govt
15 April 2026Daleko Market₦2,550Nairametrics survey
15 April 2026Oyingbo₦2,650Nairametrics survey
15 April 2026Mushin₦2,600Nairametrics survey
15 March 2026Mile 12₦2,460Lagos State Govt
15 March 2026Daleko Market₦2,300Nairametrics survey
15 March 2026Oyingbo₦2,500Nairametrics survey
15 March 2026Mushin₦2,350Nairametrics survey

Price by Market

MarketAreaPricevs cheapest
Lagos State trackerLagos₦2,800Cheapest ✓
How much does it cost to cook Pounded yam (iyan)?
See the cost of Pounded yam (iyan), Boiled yam, and 4 more dishes using live Lagos prices
→
Yoruba name
Ișu
Igbo name
Ji
Season
Seasonal
Peak months: Aug-Dec (new yam season, cheapest), Mar-Jun (stored yam, expensive)
Price trend
Rising
Origin
Primarily from Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger, and Kwame states — Nigeria's "Middle Belt" yam region. Nigeria produces 67% of the world's yams. Yams travel 500-800km by road to Lagos. "Abuja yam" and "Benue yam" are the most common varieties in Lagos markets.
Also known as
Yam tuberWhite yam (Dioscorea rotundata)Water yamPuna yamIsu

📦 Storage tips

Store whole yams in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area — NOT in the fridge. Properly stored, whole yams last 2-4 months. Cut yam must be used within 2-3 days (refrigerated). To prevent sprouting, keep away from light. In Lagos heat, lifespan is shorter — buy weekly rather than storing.

🛒 Buying tips

Size matters — medium tubers (₦2,500-₦3,500) are better value than small ones. Check for soft spots and insect damage by pressing the skin. The cut end should be white/cream, not brown or watery. "New yam" (August harvest) is more expensive but fresher. Oyingbo Market and Mile 12 have the best bulk prices. Prices nearly double between new yam season (₦1,500-₦2,500) and pre-harvest scarcity (₦3,500-₦7,000).

🥗 Nutrition

High in complex carbohydrates, Vitamin C, and potassium. Lower glycemic index than garri or rice — better for blood sugar management. One medium tuber (1-1.5kg) serves 3-4 people as pounded yam.

🍳 Used in

Pounded yam (iyan)Boiled yamFried yamYam porridge (asaro)Yam pottageRoasted yam (boli — usually plantain but yam too)

🔁 Substitutes

Poundo yam flour (instant, ₦1,500/kg — much cheaper)SemovitaFufuAmala (yam flour)

📝 Why this price matters

Yam is Nigeria's prestige staple — pounded yam is the "Sunday meal" and the centerpiece of celebrations. At ₦2,700 per medium tuber (April 2026), prices have risen significantly from ₦1,200-₦2,000 at the same time last year. Fresh harvests are limited because the new planting season has just begun — by August when the new yam harvest arrives, prices could drop 40-50%. The seasonal cycle is extreme: tubers that cost ₦2,500 now sold for nearly ₦10,000 during the 2024 crisis. Nigeria produces 67% of the world's yams, yet Lagos — a city of 18 million — produces zero and depends entirely on trucked supply from the Middle Belt, 500-800km away. Every naira added to diesel is a naira added to yam prices in Lagos. The cost of pounded yam and efo riro (₦3,937/person in our cooking calculator) makes it the most expensive everyday meal in Lagos — a luxury increasingly reserved for weekends.

FAQ

Yam (Medium Tuber) currently sells for ₦2,800 per 1 tuber at Mile 12, our reference market.