Nigerians may experience higher food prices in the coming months as farmers in northern states increasingly export their produce to neighboring countries for better income in foreign currencies.
Farmers in Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe have recorded bumper harvests of millet, sorghum, beans, and maize this year. However, a significant portion of these crops is being exported to Chad, Niger Republic, Ghana, Cameroon, and even to markets in Europe and Asia.
Abdulrashid Magaji, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kano, attributed this trend to middlemen, many of whom come from southern Nigeria, purchasing the grains for export. He explained, “Even the CFA Franc is stronger than the Naira, making exports more profitable for these middlemen.”
Farmers from various states confirmed that the devaluation of the naira has made exporting more lucrative than selling locally. While farming activity has increased in response to inflation and scarcity, farmers are prioritizing international markets where their efforts are rewarded with better financial returns.
This shift could lead to reduced local supply and rising food prices, exacerbating the challenges of food security in Nigeria.
