Nigerians may see a surge in food prices in the coming months as farmers in the northern part of the country choose to export their harvest to neighbouring countries instead of selling to the local market.

The farmers are exploring this option because of the projected income from getting paid in foreign currency.

Farmers in different states also confirm that with the naira devaluation, selling their produce to other countries brings more income, than selling it for naira.

The Punch reports that farmers in Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe have recorded bumper harvests, especially in crops like millet, sorghum, beans, and maise, compared to their counterparts in other states.

But they are exporting a major part of their harvests into neighbouring Chad, Niger Republic, Ghana, Cameroon and as far as Europe and Asia.

Better prices abroad

Abdulrashid Magaji, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kano state chapter, confirmed this, saying it is the handiwork of middlemen.

He noted that the middlemen are mostly Southerners who come to the north to purchase goods from local farmers and sell them to other countries for maximum profit.

He stressed; “Even CFA Franc is stronger than our Naira, hence the reason why such middlemen export the grains to maximise profits.”

Farmers in different states also confirm that with the naira devaluation, selling their produce to other countries brings more income than selling it for naira.

While scarcity and inflation pushed more people into farming, they would rather export the produce where they get better value for their efforts.

Even in Jigawa, where they recorded a bumper harvest of rice, millet, and sesame, they insist that international buyers from Asia and Europe offer better prices for their goods.

Govt begs farmers to sell local

Meanwhile, the government has called on the farmers to sell locally to support Nigeria’s food sufficiency drive. Federal Ministry of Agriculture Coordinator in Jigawa State, Sale Salisu, said the government is strategizing to incentivize local sales for the farmers.

He said that with the investments the government has committed to subsidise input for the farmers, it was only fair for the farmers to sell locally to support the country.

Recall that Legit.ng had a chat with experts about factors that drove food inflation in 2024, and they pointed to food scarcity and increased demand. The decision of these farmers to export food for foreign currencies at the onset of the dry season could spell more food scarcity in 2025 and further price surges.