Food Import Bill Doubles In Four Years, Hits ₦7.65 Trillion
Rising Dependence on Imported Food
NIGERIA spent a staggering ₦7.65 trillion on food and beverage imports in 2025, according to the latest Foreign Trade Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report highlights the country’s growing reliance on foreign food products, both for household consumption and industrial production.
Breakdown of Imports
Primary food and beverage products accounted for ₦3.49 trillion of the total import value. Of this amount, ₦2.09 trillion was imported mainly for industrial use, including food processing and manufacturing, while ₦1.40 trillion catered to household consumption.
Processed food and beverage products represented the largest portion, totaling ₦4.17 trillion. Industrial usage absorbed ₦2.60 trillion, with the remaining ₦1.57 trillion directed at domestic households. These figures indicate that imported raw materials remain critical to Nigeria’s food processing sector.
Steady Increase Over the Years
Nigeria’s food import bill has been on a consistent upward trajectory. In 2024, the country spent ₦6.58 trillion, up from ₦3.83 trillion in 2023, and ₦2.86 trillion in 2022. Within just four years, the cost of imported food and beverages has more than doubled, underscoring persistent gaps between domestic production and national consumption needs.
Implications for Domestic Production
The report emphasizes the pressing need to boost local food production to reduce overdependence on imports. Analysts warn that without significant investment in agriculture and food processing, Nigeria’s food security and industrial resilience could remain vulnerable to global price shocks and supply disruptions.
