Nigeria’s Food Security Challenge: Beyond Production to Post-Harvest Losses and Rising Import Dependence

Nigeria’s food security conversation has long been dominated by production statistics, tonnes of crops harvested, hectares under cultivation, and year-on-year output growth. However, experts argue that these figures only tell part of the story, masking deeper structural weaknesses in the agricultural value chain.

A major constraint is the significant loss of food after harvest. Due to inadequate storage facilities, weak preservation systems, and inefficient transportation networks, a large share of locally produced food never reaches consumers in usable condition. This persistent challenge continues to undermine farmer incomes, discourage large-scale production, and weaken overall food system efficiency.

The impact of these inefficiencies is evident in Nigeria’s growing reliance on food imports. According to the latest Foreign Trade Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s food and beverage import bill surged to N7.65 trillion in 2025. This figure highlights a rising dependence on foreign supplies to meet both household consumption needs and industrial demand.

The imported products range from raw agricultural commodities to processed food items, reflecting gaps in domestic processing capacity and supply chain reliability. While imports help bridge short-term demand deficits, they also expose the economy to global price volatility and foreign exchange pressures.

Industry stakeholders warn that this structural imbalance has long-term economic consequences. In an interview, Opeoluwa Runsewe, CEO of Terroso Group, a diversified firm operating across agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and resources, described the situation as “exporting jobs and importing inflation.” His comment underscores the economic trade-offs associated with weak local value addition.

Post-harvest losses remain one of the most overlooked bottlenecks in Nigeria’s agricultural system. Without effective cold storage infrastructure, modern logistics networks, and agro-processing facilities, productivity gains at the farm level are often lost before reaching the market.

This inefficiency not only reduces food availability but also increases prices for consumers, as supply constraints drive up market costs. It also discourages investment in agriculture, as farmers face uncertain returns despite increased output.

Addressing these challenges requires more than expanding farmland or increasing production targets. Experts emphasize the need for integrated investment across storage systems, rural infrastructure, processing capacity, and transportation networks to ensure that food produced is effectively delivered and preserved.

Ultimately, Nigeria’s food security debate is shifting from production volume to value chain efficiency. The growing import bill of N7.65 trillion in 2025 serves as a reminder that achieving true food security will depend not only on what is produced, but on how efficiently it is stored, processed, and delivered to consumers.