Browse Data and Analysis

Rice import for MY 2022/23 is forecast to increase by 12 percent as political campaigns and electoral activities leading up to the general election in 2023 gear up. A 4 percent marginal increase in wheat imports is envisioned as the Russia/Ukraine crisis prolongs. High flour mill operating costs will negatively impact the price of flour.

Imported wheat ensures Nigeria food security amid a growing population since domestic production remains minimal.

In 2021, Nigeria is expected to face decreases in grain supplies due to conflict and economic factors exacerbated by the secondary effects of COVID-19. Internal security across the country is a serious challenge to food production especially in the corn belt.

Nigeria will rely on imports to meet its national requirements for grains (especially, wheat, corn, rice) in MY2020/21.

FAS Lagos (Post) forecasts Nigeria’s wheat imports in MY 2019/20 at 5.6 MMT, up almost 4 percent compared to MY 2018/19 based on growing food, seed and industrial (FSI) usage.

Nigeria’s MY2018/19 wheat consumption is projected at 5 million tons, a 5 percent increase over last year’s.

Nigeria’s wheat consumption continues to increase as prices of other major locally grown staples remain higher than those for wheat products.

Post's combined estimates of Nigeria's MY2017/18 production for wheat, rice, corn and sorghum is set at about 16.3 million tons, representing a slight drop from the current MY2016/17 estimate....

MY2016/17 imports of wheat, rice and corn, combined, are estimated at nearly 6.8 million tons. Post’s MY2016/17 wheat consumption estimate is noted at almost 4.2 million tons...

The Central Bank of Nigeria continues to restrict access to foreign exchange in an effort to reduce rapid spending of U.S. dollars outside of Nigeria.

Post estimates U.S. 2015/16 wheat exports to Nigeria at 2.3 million tons, a 17 percent decrease largely due to existing import levies.

Nigeria’s wheat demand continues to rise and is attracting more third-country suppliers of inexpensive wheat. Imports for 2013/2014 have been adjusted to 4.55 million metric tons.