Nigeria spends billions on apple imports as local farming lags
Nigeria continues to import a significant amount of apples, highlighting challenges in local production. Stakeholders point to high input costs, climate issues, and poor policy support as major obstacles. Mohammed Gettado and Tunde Banjoko note that apples are still seen as a luxury fruit, with local cultivation limited to a few regions. The lack of government support and suitable climate conditions further hampers domestic apple farming.
TLDR
- Nigeria imported apples worth N32.26bn from other African countries in the first nine months of 2025.
- Imports were N10.11bn in the first quarter of 2025, N9.06bn in Q2, and N13.08bn in Q3.
- Mohammed Gettado says apples are mainly grown in Plateau State but suffer from neglect and lack of support.
- Tunde Banjoko notes that Nigeria’s climate is mostly unsuitable for apples, limiting commercial farming to cooler areas like Jos.
- Apple prices have surged, with a single fruit now costing over N1,000, compared to N50–N100 five years ago.
