Nigeria to import 5.6 mln tons of wheat in 2026/27 season
Nigeria’s wheat imports are projected to reach 5.6 million tonnes in MY 2026/27, while domestic production may decline 8% to 120,000 tonnes. The government plans to boost local cultivation, irrigation, financing and miller procurement to reduce import dependence and strengthen food security.
Nigeria’s wheat imports are expected to reach around 5.6 mln tons in the MY 2026/27, while domestic production is estimated at just 120 thsd tons, down 8% compared with previous years. This was announced by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting under the Project WHEAT-NESS programme in Abuja. Heavy dependence on imported grain remains one of the country’s major food security challenges.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s total wheat milling capacity is estimated at approximately 8 mln tons per year. However, domestic production remains insufficient to meet the needs of processing companies. This imbalance forces the country to purchase substantial volumes of grain abroad, leaving it exposed to global price fluctuations, exchange rate volatility and potential disruptions to international supply chains.
The Nigerian government aims to gradually reduce import dependence by developing domestic wheat production. However, Oyedele stressed that the main objective should not be simply to restrict imports, but to establish a reliable and competitive domestic grain supply system. Achieving this will require improving agricultural productivity, developing processing capacity and creating favorable conditions for investment in agricultural production.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, noted that the country has between 2 mln and 3.5 mln ha of land with potential for irrigated wheat cultivation. According to his assessment, wheat yields could be doubled through the use of higher-yielding varieties, optimized sowing schedules, improved crop nutrition and adequate water supply. Realizing this potential could significantly increase domestic wheat availability and reduce the need for imports.
Meanwhile, the government is urging local flour mills and other food manufacturers to increase their purchases of wheat from Nigerian farmers. This is expected to encourage acreage expansion, support processing capacity utilization and create jobs. Particular attention will be given to involving banks and financial institutions in providing credit to farmers, processors and small businesses. The government expects that developing domestic production will gradually reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported grain and strengthen its food security.
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Source : Ukr Agro Consult
