Jollof index

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The Jollof Index is a metric developed by Nigerian research firm SBM Intelligence that measures food inflation by tracking the cost of ingredients used to prepare Jollof rice, a popular West African dish. [1] [2] [3] The index is compiled using data collected from various markets in Nigeria and Ghana on a monthly basis, providing valuable insights into food inflation trends in West Africa. The index is used to monitor changes in food prices and understand their impact on households and the economy.

It tracks the cost of ingredients used to prepare Jollof rice, providing insights into food inflation trends in West Africa. [4] The index is compiled using data collected from various markets in Nigeria and Ghana on a monthly basis, and as a result, provides valuable insights into the impact of food price changes on households and the economy. Because food is often the largest expense for Nigerian families, accounting for two-thirds of the household expenses, the Jollof index tracks a major expense category. [5]

The index was first published in 2015. [6] It focuses on West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, [7] and can be used to track differences between different areas of the country, e.g., if the price goes up in Lagos but down in a different area. [6]

The Jollof Index is updated monthly, allowing for timely tracking of changes in food prices and their impact on the economy. It provides longitudinal information, e.g., showing that the price of one pot of Jollof increased by 60% between October 2016 and October 2019. [5]

By the end of 2024, rice prices in Nigeria skyrocketed to record highs, with a 50-kilogram bag costing around 75,000 naira ($48.5 at the prevailing exchange rate) in Lagos and 99,000 naira in Abuja. [8] This surge in prices led to widespread hunger, with two out of three Nigerian households struggling to afford food. [9]

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References

  1. Endurance, Okafor (2019-05-10). "What SBM's Jollof index says about inflation in Nigeria's regions". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  2. Osae-Brown, Anthony (October 30, 2023). "Nigeria's Rising Food Prices Hit Nation's Beloved Jollof Dish". Bloomberg. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  3. Erezi, Dennis (2022-04-28). "Jollof Index, Chicken Republic, inflation and changing food consumption patterns". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  4. Adetayo, Ope. "How inflation made West Africa's prized jollof rice a pricey meal". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  5. 1 2 Osae-Brown, Anthony, and Tope Alake. 2019. "Christmas Dinner in Nigeria This Year Misses One Key Ingredient." Bloomberg.
  6. 1 2 Taylor, Adam. (7 May 2021) "A Surge in Global Food Prices Puts Staple Meals out of Reach." The Washington Post
  7. Cost Of Preparing Jollof Rice In Nigeria Triples In Seven Years . Retrieved 2024-05-15 via www.youtube.com.
  8. Osae-Brown, Anthony (2024-12-27). "Rice Prices Surge to Record in Nigeria as Tinubu's Food Policies Falter". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  9. Salako, Pelumi. "Nigeria's celebratory 'detty December' turns sombre amid economic woes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-12-28.