In today’s Nigeria, food inflation, long commutes, and hectic work schedules make grocery shopping a real challenge – especially for single professionals and young families living in Lagos, Abuja, and Ibadan. Many people spend more than necessary because they shop without a plan, buy in the wrong places, or fall into the trap of impulse purchases.
But here’s the good news: with the right strategy, you can shop for your monthly foodstuff without overpaying. All it takes is planning, budgeting, and using smarter shopping channels like Sundry Agro, an online marketplace that delivers foodstuff and groceries straight to your door.
This guide will show you step by step how to shop monthly foodstuff, save money, and avoid waste – without sacrificing convenience or quality.
The Challenge of Monthly Food Shopping in Nigerian Cities
For most Nigerians, food shopping is a monthly ritual. Yet in cities like Lagos or Abuja, it often comes with challenges:
- Traffic stress: A simple trip to Mile 12 or Wuse Market can eat up half your Saturday.
- Inflated prices in supermarkets: Convenience comes at a high cost, and busy professionals often pay more than they should.
- Inconsistent prices: Tomato today could be ₦500 per basket, and ₦1,500 next week.
- Impulse buying: Without a list, it’s easy to overspend.
- Spoilage: Buying in bulk without proper planning can lead to waste.
This is why a structured approach and smart shopping choices matter.
Step 1: Plan Your Monthly Foodstuff Budget
The first step to avoiding overspending is to set a clear monthly budget.
Why budgeting matters:
- Keeps your spending under control.
- Helps you prioritize essentials over “wants.”
- Gives you peace of mind at the end of the month.
Average foodstuff budget ranges:
- Single professionals: ₦40,000 – ₦70,000/month
- Couples: ₦70,000 – ₦120,000/month
- Families (3–5 members): ₦120,000 – ₦200,000/month
👉 Tip: Track your income and allocate about 25–35% to foodstuff depending on your lifestyle.
Step 2: Create a Structured Monthly Foodstuff List
One of the biggest money traps is shopping without a list. A foodstuff checklist prevents overspending and ensures you don’t forget essentials.
Foodstuff Categories to Include:
Staples: rice, beans, yam, garri, pasta
Proteins: chicken, fish, beef, eggs, milk
Vegetables & Fruits: tomatoes, peppers, onions, leafy greens, oranges, apples
Condiments: oil, salt, seasoning cubes, curry, thyme, spices
Breakfast items: oats, bread, cornflakes, tea, coffee
Household needs: detergents, tissue, soaps, dishwashing liquid
👉 Pro Tip: Write your list before payday and stick to it.
Step 3: Buy in Bulk Where It Makes Sense
Bulk shopping saves money – but only when done wisely.
Items to buy in bulk:
- Rice (25kg or 50kg bag)
- Beans (paint buckets or bags)
- Garri (paint buckets or bags)
- Oil (10L kegs)
- Seasoning cubes (carton)
- Noodles (carton)
- Detergents, tissue paper
Items to avoid buying in bulk:
- Tomatoes (buy weekly or freeze blended versions)
- Bread (stales quickly)
- Fresh fruits (buy in small quantities)
- Leafy greens (best bought weekly)
👉 Pro Tip: Always repackage in smaller containers and store properly to avoid spoilage.
Step 4: Compare Prices Before Buying
Prices vary widely depending on where you shop:
- Markets (e.g., Mile 12, Wuse, Bodija): cheaper but stressful.
- Supermarkets: convenient but usually more expensive.
- Online platforms (Sundry Agro): competitive prices, delivery convenience.
👉 With Sundry Agro, you can browse categories, compare prices, and order everything online – saving time and avoiding price inflation at physical stores.
Step 5: Shop Online to Save Time & Money
Instead of dragging yourself to the market every month, online platforms like Sundry Agro bring the market to your phone.
How to shop monthly foodstuff on Sundry Agro:
- Visit sundryagro.com.
- Browse through categories (staples, proteins, vegetables, condiments).
- Add items from your monthly checklist to your cart.
- Pay securely online.
- A personal shopper handles everything and delivers to your doorstep.
Benefits for busy professionals:
- Saves hours of market stress.
- Transparent price comparisons.
- Fresh food guaranteed.
- No need for market bargaining or supermarket queues.
Step 6: Track Your Spending
Budgeting doesn’t end with shopping—you need to track.
Simple ways to track expenses:
- Use a notebook: jot down monthly food purchases.
- Google Sheets/Excel: create a running budget.
- Budget apps: Mint or PocketGuard.
- Sundry Agro Order History: track your past orders and spending automatically.
👉 Pro Tip: Review spending monthly to cut back on impulse buys.
Pro Tips to Avoid Overpaying on Monthly Foodstuff
Here are insider hacks for smarter shopping:
- Shop at the start of the month when prices are stable.
- Buy from one source (like Sundry Agro) to save on transport and multiple delivery fees.
- Freeze perishables: blend tomatoes, peppers, and onions—freeze them for month-long use.
- Cook in bulk & store: jollof rice, beans, or soups can be portioned and frozen.
- Leverage promos: watch out for Sundry Agro’s bulk discounts and seasonal sales.
Monthly Foodstuff List & Estimated Budget
Here’s an example for a single professional in Lagos shopping wisely with Sundry Agro:
| Category | Items | Est. Cost (₦) |
| Staples | 10kg rice, 5kg beans, 2 tubers yam, 1 paint garri, 2 packs pasta | 20,000 |
| Proteins | 1 crate eggs, 5kg chicken, 2kg fish, 2L milk, 6 yogurts | 18,000 |
| Vegetables & Fruits | Tomatoes, onions, peppers, ugu, spinach, 10 bananas, 6 oranges | 12,000 |
| Condiments | 5L vegetable oil, 1L palm oil, seasoning cubes, spices, tin tomatoes | 10,000 |
| Breakfast Items | Oats, cornflakes, 2 loaves bread, Milo/tea, peanut butter | 8,000 |
| Household Needs | Detergent, tissue, soap, dishwashing liquid, disinfectant | 7,000 |
| Snacks & Extras | Plantain chips, biscuits, nuts, chin-chin | 5,000 |
| Total (Monthly) | — | ≈80,000 |
👉 This budget can be adjusted upward for couples or families.
Conclusion
Shopping for monthly foodstuff in Lagos, Abuja, or Ibadan doesn’t have to mean overspending or wasting weekends in traffic-heavy markets. With a clear budget, structured checklist, bulk buying strategy, and smart storage, you can save money and avoid waste.
Most importantly, you can skip the stress entirely by shopping with Sundry Agro – where you’ll find fresh foodstuff, transparent prices, and doorstep delivery handled by a personal shopper.
👉 Shop smarter today with Sundry Agro and take control of your monthly food budget.
check out this food budgetting tips here
