LCCI Warns Cheap Foreign Livestock Imports Threaten Nigeria’s Farmers

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has sounded the alarm over the flood of cheap foreign livestock products entering Nigeria, warning that the trend is crippling local producers and putting thousands of small agribusinesses at risk.

LCCI President, Gabriel Idahosa, said the influx of low-priced imports has made it nearly impossible for domestic farmers to compete, as stronger foreign currencies and lower production costs abroad push local products out of the market. He noted that the growing dependence on imports is not only eroding the nation’s agricultural base but also draining its foreign reserves.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics paints a worrying picture — food imports hit ₦1.18 trillion in the second quarter of 2025, up 33 percent from the same period last year. Within the first half of 2025 alone, Nigeria imported ₦815.03 billion worth of livestock and related products, while exports stood at just ₦51.57 billion — leaving a trade deficit of ₦763.47 billion.

Idahosa explained that the country’s competitiveness has been undermined by years of underinvestment, policy inconsistency, insecurity, and poor infrastructure. He revealed that milk yield from local cattle averages less than 1.5 litres daily, with annual domestic production reaching only about 600,000 metric tonnes — far below national demand exceeding one million tonnes.

Figures from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development show that Nigeria spends over $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports. Idahosa lamented that despite the technical know-how available in the country, limited investment and outdated production practices continue to stifle the livestock value chain.

He called on government and private stakeholders to take bold steps toward modernising the sector through improved ranching systems, better feed management, and expanded cold-chain infrastructure. “Our goal shouldn’t be to depend on imports,” he said. “Nigeria must build the confidence to export. We have what it takes to feed West Africa — not to keep financing jobs outside our borders.”