Nigeria’s Sugar Importation Hits 98,000 MT, Despite Calls for Local Production

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Nigeria’s reliance on imported sugar remains significant, with approximately 98,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar imported in March 2025. This trend raises concerns about the country’s inability to meet domestic sugar demand, with over 96% of its annual sugar consumption sourced from foreign markets.

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According to the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) “Daily Shipping Position” report, two significant shipments of raw sugar were discharged at major terminals in March. The vessels, AEPOS and SEA Diamond 1, carried approximately 48,000 MT and 50,000 MT of raw sugar from Brazil, respectively.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State warned about the implications of Nigeria’s sugar consumption pattern, stating, “Today, Nigeria consumes roughly about 1.4 to 1.6 million metric tonnes of sugar. This quantity, about 96%, is imported as raw sugar from Brazil and refined at our three refineries owned by Dangote, BUA, and Golden Penny.”

Dr. Olusola Odusanya, Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), also highlighted the economic risks posed by Nigeria’s dependence on sugar imports. “Everyone of us might have consumed sugar this morning. But we import it instead of producing it on a large scale and exporting it. This will fetch us enough foreign exchange and create jobs in the country

The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin, revealed that Nigeria needs a $5 billion investment to achieve sugar self-sufficiency. He also dismissed calls for a sugar tax, arguing that Nigeria’s per capita sugar consumption is low compared to global standards.

Bakrin noted that achieving sugar self-sufficiency will require addressing key issues such as mechanisation, security, and infrastructure. “Comparing our production with global leaders, Brazil, India, and Thailand produce 41 million MT, 36 million MT, and 14 million MT, respectively. Even within Africa, Nigeria lags behind Egypt and South Africa, which produce 2.8 million MT and 2.4 million MT, respectively.”

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The Nigerian Ports Authority’s report revealed a 12% increase in discharged cargo over the past week, driven by higher volumes of wheat, sugar, and soya bean oil. However, stakeholders in the maritime sector raised concerns about the local industry’s inability to meet demand, with a senior official at the Nigerian Ports Authority stating, “The high volume of raw sugar imports is a clear indication of the local industry’s inability to meet demand.”

A representative of the ENL Consortium, which operates several berths at Lagos ports, expressed optimism about the government’s commitment to improving port efficiency but emphasised the need to address the underlying issue of heavy dependence on imports. “We are seeing efforts to enhance port efficiency, but the underlying issue of heavy dependence on imports still needs to be addressed. Encouraging local production through incentives and infrastructure development is key.”

To achieve this, the Nigerian government has been urged to implement policies that support local sugar production. This includes providing incentives for farmers, investing in infrastructure, and implementing tariffs on imported sugar.

In addition, experts have called for the development of a comprehensive sugar industry roadmap that outlines the country’s sugar production goals and strategies for achieving them.

The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, launched in 2012, aims to increase local sugar production to 1.7 million metric tonnes by 2025. However, the plan has faced several challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient support for local farmers.

Despite these challenges, there are indications that the Nigerian government is committed to supporting local sugar production. In 2022, the government launched the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), which is responsible for regulating the sugar industry and providing support to local producers.

The NSDC has also established a Sugar Development Fund, which provides financing for local sugar producers. The fund has already disbursed millions of naira to several sugar producers across the country.

While these efforts are commendable, experts say that more needs to be done to support local sugar production. They argue that the government must provide more incentives for farmers, invest in infrastructure, and implement policies that protect local producers from unfair competition.

In conclusion, Nigeria’s sugar industry faces significant challenges, including heavy dependence on imports, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for local farmers. However, with the right policies and support, the industry has the potential to create thousands of jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce the country’s reliance on imported sugar.

As the Nigerian government continues to grapple with the challenges facing the sugar industry, it is essential that it prioritizes support for local producers, invests in infrastructure, and implements policies that promote fair competition.

By doing so, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its sugar industry, create a more sustainable and prosperous future for its citizens, and reduce its reliance on imported sugar.

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