A substantial quantity of 2.2 million tonnes of wheat, amounting to a value of $1.12 billion, has been imported into Nigeria from various countries including Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, through ports like Lagos, Tin Can Island, Rivers, and Calabar between January and September 2023. This import surge is aimed at alleviating the impending wheat shortage in Nigeria.

The country has been grappling with a deficit in domestic and industrial wheat supply, largely due to elevated local production costs and the adverse impact of stem borer infestation on wheat production since the previous year. Furthermore, importers have been encountering difficulties in securing foreign exchange to bridge the supply gap of 5.5 million tonnes anticipated by the end of this year.

Recent data reveals that 252,232 tonnes of wheat arrived at Nigerian ports during the current month. Information from AgFlow indicates that Nigeria imported 0.14 million tonnes of wheat from Canada in July 2023, followed by Poland with 64,365 tonnes, Russia with 51,080 tonnes, and the United States contributing 27,000 tonnes.

Cumulatively, imports have reached 1.9 million tonnes between January and July 2023, with an average price for wheat standing at $520 per tonne. It's worth noting that countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Brazil have each supplied 55,000 tonnes of wheat to Nigeria. Estonia has also exported 54,400 tonnes of the grain to the country.

Among these shipments, February saw the largest amount at 0.33 million tonnes, followed by July with 0.3 million tonnes, June with 0.26 million tonnes, May with 0.3 million tonnes, April with 0.2 million tonnes, and January with 0.28 million tonnes.

The shipping position of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) indicates that six vessels carrying a total of 252,232 tonnes of wheat will commence unloading their cargo at various ports before the end of the current month.

Leading the way at Lagos Port's Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL) is the Desert Grace with 51,338 tonnes, followed by Adam Schulte with 55,000 tonnes, and Theodora with 54,780 tonnes. At Tincan Island Port's Josepdam terminal, the Spring Jasmine vessel is laden with 37,784 tonnes, while Dinowill is set to berth at Onne Port with 30,643 tonnes, and Eleen Neptune is expected to deliver 22,687 tonnes at Calabar Port.

In the midst of these developments, the National Association of Wheat Farmers, Processors, and Marketers of Nigeria (WFPMN) has asserted that all northern states in the country are viable for wheat cultivation, particularly with the introduction of new locally developed wheat varieties.