By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria’s grain imports for the 2025/26 marketing year are projected to reach 10.1 million tons, nearly 10 percent higher than 9.2 million tons imported in 2024/25, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The increase is driven primarily by staples. Wheat imports are expected to rise by 450,000 tons to 6.7 million tons, rice by 300,000 tons to 3.2 million tons, and corn by 135,000 tons to 260,000 tons, while sorghum purchases are expected to decline slightly to 10,000 tons.
The USDA report attributed the rise to a stable local currency, improved consumer purchasing power, and lower global grain prices, which also reduce production costs for millers and livestock feed producers.
Lower wheat and corn prices are expected to improve affordability for consumers and feed accessibility for poultry and livestock farmers.
Although imports will meet only about 30 percent of Nigeria’s domestic grain needs, they provide a temporary buffer against rising food costs.
The country’s average annual grain consumption was nearly 34 million tons between 2021/22 and 2023/24, according to FAO data.
The influx of lower-priced imports is also expected to ease inflationary pressures. Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell for the fifth consecutive month to 20.12 percent in August 2025, though it remains above the ECOWAS target of 5 percent.
Analysts say the combined effect of stable exchange rates and cheaper imports is improving access to staples while supporting millers and feed producers in the domestic market.