Nigeria Loses $3.3B to Food Waste
Nigeria is losing up to $3.3 billion annually to food waste amid deepening cold chain gaps. The waste occurs throughout the supply chain due to inadequate refrigeration infrastructure. ACES Centre is offering a "Foundation in Cold-Chain" course in Kigali, Rwanda for March/April 2026 to address refrigeration challenges for food security.
In 2025 alone, Nigeria lost between N3.5 trillion and N5 trillion to post-harvest inefficiencies. This equates to an estimated 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food, including essential items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish, that spoiled after leaving the farm. The problem is particularly severe for perishable goods. Nigeria loses 45% to 60% of its tomatoes and 50% of its onions after harvest. For fruits and vegetables in general, post-harvest losses can be as high as 60%, while losses for grains are estimated at 20% and for fish, also 20%. These losses are not due to low production but are a result of systemic issues within the supply chain. Key contributing factors include inadequate storage facilities, poor handling and packaging, and deficient refrigerated transport systems. This lack of cold chain infrastructure is a critical economic and infrastructure challenge, not just an agricultural one. The consequences extend beyond monetary loss, directly impacting food security. While approximately 40% of the country's food is lost or wasted, millions of Nigerians face severe food insecurity. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that without timely intervention, millions more could face severe food shortages.
