Nigeria’s reliance on imported food and beverages continues to grow, reaching a value of N1.67 trillion in the first quarter of 2025. This represents a five percent increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a staggering 125 percent surge from the first quarter of 2023. This escalating trend, evident since 2020, underscores a deepening dependence on foreign food sources despite various government initiatives aimed at bolstering domestic food production. The sustained rise in food imports raises concerns about the nation’s food security and the potential impact on local agriculture. The data reveals a complex interplay of factors, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, currency devaluation, and escalating insecurity in key agricultural regions, contributing to the upward trajectory of food imports.
The first quarter of 2025 saw N730.01 billion spent on primary food products and N940.95 billion on processed food imports. While the overall value increased year-on-year, the breakdown within these categories reveals shifting consumption patterns. Imports of primary food products primarily for industrial use decreased, while those intended for household consumption saw a significant rise. Similarly, processed food imports for industrial use increased, whereas imports for households slightly declined. This fluctuation suggests potential shifts in industrial demand and household purchasing power, highlighting the dynamic nature of the food import landscape.
Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with the preceding fourth quarter of 2024 reveals a 10.4 percent decrease in the value of food and beverage imports. This cyclical decline is typical for the first quarter due to post-holiday economic slowdown and reduced shipping activity at the start of the year. However, the year-on-year increase provides a clearer picture of Nigeria’s increasing reliance on imported food. The significant jump in import value between 2023 and 2024, followed by continued growth in 2025, indicates a more structural shift in food consumption patterns beyond seasonal fluctuations.
The surge in food imports coincides with persistent food inflation, which reached 21.36 percent year-on-year in April 2025. While this represents a decrease compared to the previous year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributes this decline to a change in the base year for calculating inflation. Month-on-month food inflation in April 2025 was 2.06 percent, a slight decrease from March 2025. The NBS attributes this marginal decrease to falling prices of staple food items such as maize flour, wheat grain, rice, and beans. However, the underlying issue of high food prices remains a significant concern, placing a strain on household budgets and potentially exacerbating food insecurity. Regional variations in food inflation rates further highlight the complex economic and logistical challenges impacting food availability and affordability across the country.
These figures paint a worrying picture for Nigeria’s food security. Despite government programs like the Anchor Borrowers Programme, designed to boost local agricultural production, the country’s dependence on foreign food sources persists. This reliance on imports leaves Nigeria vulnerable to global food price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and currency exchange rate volatility. Furthermore, the increased spending on imported food potentially diverts resources from investments in domestic agriculture, hindering the development of the local food production sector and increasing the country’s long-term vulnerability to food insecurity.
The rising cost of food imports, coupled with high inflation, significantly impacts the lives of ordinary Nigerians. A report by SBM Intelligence indicates that approximately half of minimum wage earners allocate their entire income to food, underscoring the acute financial strain faced by a large segment of the population. Moreover, the World Food Programme projects that 33 million people in Nigeria are expected to face acute food insecurity in 2025, a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the underlying causes of food insecurity and strengthen domestic food production capacity. The convergence of these factors – increasing food import dependence, persistent inflation, and widespread food insecurity – underscores the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to ensure food affordability and accessibility for all Nigerians.
