The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern about the increasing inflow of cheap foreign livestock products into Nigeria, warning that the trend is severely affecting local producers and threatening the survival of small agribusinesses.
President of the Chamber, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, said in an interview that many domestic farmers are struggling to compete as imported livestock products are being sold at significantly lower prices.
According to him, the price disparity stems from stronger foreign currencies and lower production costs in exporting countries, which have made locally produced items less attractive to consumers.
Idahosa explained that the situation is not only weakening the local agricultural base but also mounting additional pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
He cited recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which revealed that food imports rose to N1.18 trillion in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 33 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Between January and June 2025, livestock and related product imports were valued at N815.03 billion, while exports stood at just N51.57 billion, creating a deficit of N763.47 billion.
Idahosa noted that between 2020 and mid-2025, total livestock imports surged to N4.46 trillion, up from N454.52 billion recorded in 2020, underscoring Nigeria’s heavy reliance on foreign supply to meet both household and industrial needs.
He attributed the country’s weak competitiveness to long-standing structural inefficiencies, including inadequate investment, poor infrastructure, insecurity, and policy instability.
Idahosa pointed out that the average milk yield from local cattle remains below 1.5 litres per day, while annual domestic milk production stands at about 600,000 metric tonnes—far below the national demand of over one million tonnes.
According to figures from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), Nigeria currently spends more than $1.5 billion every year on dairy imports.
Idahosa emphasized that despite the availability of technical expertise, limited investment and outdated practices have prevented the livestock value chain from realizing its full potential.
He urged both government and private stakeholders to increase funding for modern ranching, improved feed systems, cold-chain logistics, and breeding facilities.
Idahosa also called for clear national targets, such as cutting livestock imports by half within the next five years.
“Our objective should not be to remain comfortable with imports,” he said. “Nigeria must aim to build the confidence to export. We have the capacity to supply livestock and dairy products across West Africa, rather than continue financing jobs and production outside our borders.”
