₦airaland Forum

Press Release

Date: 20th July, 2025

FALSE REPORT ON IMPORTS BY https://share.google/CFuu68Hcu6x1G860M NEWSPAPER : SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The attention of the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/WCA) and the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has been drawn to a misleading publication by the Guardian Newspaper alleging that truckloads of onions from Niger Republic are flooding Nigerian markets, thereby crashing onion prices.

We wish to categorically state that this report is false, unfounded, and not supported by any market or trade data.

Key Facts:

1. Nigeria is the largest producer of onions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Far from being dependent on Niger Republic, Nigeria exports onions to Niger Republic and other West African countries. Our production capacity far exceeds their national output.

2. Onion price comparison proves the report false:

Current price in Niger Republic (July 2025):
35,000 – 50,000 CFA (equivalent to ₦95,000 – ₦135,000 per bag) without transportation and import duty costs.

Current price in Nigeria (July 2025):
₦90,000 – ₦100,000 per bag.

March 2025 prices:

In Nigeria: ₦40,000 per bag (excluding packaging costs).

In Niger Republic: 15,000 CFA (₦50,000) per bag.

These figures show clearly that importing onions from Niger Republic is economically impractical, as their prices are currently higher than Nigeria’s domestic market prices.

It is therefore misleading to claim that imports from Niger are reducing onion prices in Nigeria.

3. Onion price dynamics are driven by internal seasonal factors:
Price fluctuations in Nigeria are due to seasonality, input costs, storage infrastructure, and market demand cycles, not imports from Niger Republic.

4. Nigeria’s onion exports remain active:
Official trade data and field reports confirm that Niger Republic depends on Nigerian onion supply, especially during their lean seasons, further invalidating claims of massive imports. Trucks from Niger Republic only Transit Nigeria to other part of West African countries because of their proximity to Nigerian border.

Our Position

We strongly condemn the dissemination of such inaccurate reports which undermine the hard work of Nigerian onion farmers, processors, and marketers, and misinform consumers and policy stakeholders.

Our Call to Action

We urge reputable media organizations like Guardian to:

a. Verify market data and engage sector associations before publication.
b. Support accurate reporting that promotes Nigeria’s agricultural sector and regional trade competitiveness.

Federal Government Support to Farmers

We also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to support vulnerable onion farmers across Nigeria, particularly those severely affected by recent flooding, by providing necessary interventions to help them return to production and sustain their livelihoods.

The onion sector remains committed to ensuring sustainable supply, improved storage, and processing innovations that enhance food security, farmer incomes, and national economic growth.

For accurate information and data on onion production and trade in Nigeria and West Africa,

https://tribuneonlineng.com/onion-producers-refute-claims-of-niger-republic-imports-crashing-nigerian-prices/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLp80pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHntnsC79vpZHsYu_KWrmcICtnwhkftsnrUhLu9XJOP8jWsbltqYeeWsG3n4Z_aem_VZZtVbJ5Ye6EdKVlECX1SQ