Experts warn that the cost of beans in Nigeria is unlikely to decrease soon, citing various challenges impacting production. Nigeria, once the top global producer of beans, now faces reduced output due to factors like banditry, climate change, and farmer-herder conflicts. Insecurity in northern regions has significantly hindered farming activities, and with poor storage facilities worsening the situation, bean supplies remain insufficient.
Alhaji Abdulrasheed Magaji Rimin Gado, chairman of the Kano chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), noted that farmers in key producing areas have reduced their cultivation of beans due to persistent insecurity. Additionally, Nigeria heavily depends on imports from Niger Republic, which provides about 45% of its beans. However, recent restrictions by Niger, including a ban on food exports, have further strained the supply chain.
The economic downturn has compounded the problem, as the exchange rate of the naira against the CFA franc has made importing beans increasingly expensive. As a result, merchants struggle to afford the costs, causing supply disruptions. Moreover, the military junta in Niger has restricted agricultural exports to protect local markets, affecting Nigeria’s access to cereals and legumes, including cowpea, millet, and sorghum.
A trader at the Dawanau International Grain Market, Alhaji Musa Gawuna, added that farmers are reluctant to stay on their lands due to escalating farmer-herder conflicts. This hesitancy has contributed to lower production levels, despite rising domestic demand.
Sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Niger following the 2023 coup, although lifted earlier this year, had already disrupted the usual trade flows. Even after the sanctions ended, Niger’s decision to limit food exports to Sahel Alliance countries (Mali and Burkina Faso) has left a noticeable gap in Nigeria’s food supply, affecting inflation rates for essential staples like rice and legumes.
To address the shortage, stakeholders suggest implementing dry-season farming and introducing price controls to stabilize the market and make beans affordable. However, without substantial government intervention and support for farmers, prices may remain high, keeping beans out of reach for many Nigerian households.
