LCCI warns against influx of cheap foreign livestock
Foreign livestock imports threaten Nigerian producers who cannot compete with cheaper products from countries with stronger currencies and lower manufacturing expenses, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. Gabriel Idahosa, the chamber’s president, said many small agricultural businesses have closed because customers prefer less expensive imported goods.
Nigeria bought 815 billion naira worth of livestock products in the first six months of 2025 while selling only 51.57 billion naira abroad, creating a 763.47 billion naira trade gap. The country spent 4.46 trillion naira on imported animal products between 2020 and mid-2025, up from 454.52 billion naira in 2020 to 1.49 trillion naira in 2024.
Local dairy farms produce 600,000 metric tons of milk each year, while demand exceeds 1 million tons, forcing the government to spend over $1.5 billion annually on imports. Poor infrastructure, security problems and inconsistent policies limit expansion despite available technical knowledge.
Idahosa recommended increased investment in modern ranching facilities, feed production systems and cold storage networks. He said officials should aim to cut livestock imports by half within five years and develop West African export markets instead of purchasing from foreign suppliers.
