Nigeria is grappling with a significant challenge in its agricultural sector: food waste and loss. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) have repeatedly warned that millions of Nigerians are at risk of hunger. However, the issue is not with food cultivation, but rather with the loss and waste that occurs at different levels. The Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) recently disclosed that Nigeria recorded trillions of naira in post-harvest losses last year.
According to OTACCWA President, Mr. Alexander Isong, Nigeria lost an estimated 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food to post-harvest inefficiencies across major value chains in 2025. This translates to approximately N3.5 trillion to N5 trillion in economic losses. The losses are particularly significant in tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, fish, and root crops. Isong expressed the frustrations of farmers in the country, highlighting the need for investment in a cold chain to mitigate these losses.
A report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published in November 2024 revealed that approximately two out of three households in Nigeria indicated being unable to eat healthy, nutritious, or preferred foods due to lack of money. Additionally, 63.8% of households ate only a few kinds of food, 62.4% were worried about not having enough food to eat, and 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. These statistics underscore the dire implications of food waste and loss for ordinary citizens.
The World Bank estimates that Nigeria loses and wastes 40% of its total food production each year. This is attributed to inadequate cold storage, poor logistics, and weak infrastructure. Experts have warned that the implications of such volumes of food loss are dire for the country. Isong explained that farmers had already invested in land preparation, seedlings, fertilizer, labor, irrigation, and transport before these products were lost due to weak cold storage and logistics systems.
Food loss is accounted for in the production and supply chain after harvest on the farms, while waste occurs at the level of consumption through retail, food service, and household. Fresh farm products like cowpea, garlic, pepper, onions, maize, potatoes, and tomatoes start losing their nutrient value almost immediately after harvest in the absence of refrigeration. Since some of these food products have a short lifespan, many of them end up being wasted.
Power supply is a significant factor contributing to food waste and loss in Nigeria. It is estimated that 37% of Nigerian agricultural production is affected by power supply issues. Experts have called for investment in cold chain equipment and services to mitigate these losses. The government is urged to address this challenge, which is not just an agricultural problem but also an infrastructure and economic challenge.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, it is essential to pay attention to the amount of wasted food that contributes to hunger in the country. The theme of the day, 'Transformative Potential of Reducing Food Loss and Waste,' highlights the need for transformative action to address this challenge. Key to this is investment in cold chain equipment and services to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure that food products reach consumers in good condition.
Key points
- Nigeria loses 40% of its food production yearly, with trillions of naira in post-harvest losses.
- Experts urge government to invest in cold chain equipment and services to mitigate food losses.
- Power supply issues significantly contribute to food waste and loss in Nigeria.
