Nigeria’s Food Import Bill Hits N7.65 Trillion in 2025 Amid Rising Domestic Demand
Nigeria’s spending on imported food and beverages surged to N7.65 trillion in 2025, signaling the country’s growing dependence on foreign food supplies. According to the latest Foreign Trade Statistics report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), both primary and processed food products were imported to meet increasing domestic demand and support industrial production.
Primary food imports accounted for N3.49 trillion of the total bill, with N2.09 trillion directed toward industrial use and N1.40 trillion for household consumption. Processed food and beverages, which form the largest share of imports, reached N4.17 trillion, supporting manufacturing industries with N2.60 trillion and households with N1.57 trillion. These figures highlight how heavily Nigeria’s food processing sector relies on imported raw materials.
Over the past four years, Nigeria’s food import expenditure has steadily climbed. From N2.86 trillion in 2022 to N6.58 trillion in 2024, the 2025 figure represents a more than twofold increase within this period. Analysts warn that this trend exposes vulnerabilities in the country’s food security and underscores the urgent need to boost local agricultural production.
Rising production costs, insecurity, and post-harvest losses are driving many farmers, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions, away from farming. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that approximately 34.7 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity in the upcoming lean season, intensifying concerns about national food supply.
Experts and farmers alike are calling for stronger government intervention. Prioritizing smallholder farmers in budget planning and investing in agricultural infrastructure could reduce the nation’s dependence on imports. As Nigeria continues to rely heavily on foreign food products, policymakers face mounting pressure to address the structural challenges threatening both industrial and household food security.
source: nairametrics