Nigeria Spends ₦3.3 Trillion on Food Imports in Six Months as Food Insecurity Deepens
Nigeria spent ₦3.3 trillion on food and beverage imports in the first half of 2026, according to foreign trade data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Although this was 3.1% lower than the ₦3.4 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025, imports rose sharply from ₦1.39 trillion in the first quarter to ₦1.91 trillion in the second quarter. Processed food and beverages accounted for ₦1.72 trillion of the total, while primary food and beverage products accounted for ₦1.58 trillion. Items intended for household consumption made up about ₦1.75 trillion, reflecting continued reliance on imported food to meet local demand. The figures come amid warnings that about 35 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity during 2026. Conflict, displacement and climate shocks remain major threats to farming, particularly in the North-East. The Federal Government is prioritising mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing and support for smallholder farmers. However, stronger investment in production, transport and farm security will be needed to make locally produced food more available and affordable.
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