Nigeria set to boost corn, wheat imports in 2025/26: USDA

Wheat imports are estimated at 6.7 million tonnes for the 2025/26 marketing year, up from about 6.25 million tonnes the prior year.
The temporary zero‑duty import policy introduced in 2024 is referenced as a key enabler of this jump, by making wheat cheaper and more accessible to millers.
About 70% of wheat flour in Nigeria is used for bread production; the rest for cakes, biscuits, pastries.
The European Union is the dominant supplier (≈ 45% market share).
From January to June 2025, U.S. wheat exports to Nigeria jumped 246% (to USD 139.5 million) compared to the same period in 2024 (USD 40.3 million), attributed to competitive U.S. pricing, more stable foreign exchange, and improved macroeconomic conditions.

Corn imports are projected at 260,000 tonnes (0.26 million), up from 125,000 tonnes (0.125 million) in 2024/25.
Domestic corn production is estimated at about 11.9 million tonnes (slightly lower than earlier 12 million estimates), but still a stronger base than in 2024.
The increase in import demand is driven by a stabilizing exchange rate and lower world grain prices.
U.S. corn exports to Nigeria from January to July 2025 reached ~85,000 tonnes.
Interestingly, about half of these corn imports took place after the 2024 preferential duty waiver ended in May 2025, which suggests that favorable pricing (not only duty waivers) is contributing to import demand.