Nigeria sharply increases crude palm oil imports amid domestic supply deficit
Nigeria imported crude palm oil worth around 68 bln naira from Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in the second quarter of 2026. By comparison, the value of such imports stood at about 23 bln naira in the first quarter.
Liberia was the largest supplier in April–June, accounting for 51 bln naira worth of palm oil imports. Shipments from Côte d’Ivoire were valued at 15 bln naira, while imports from Ghana amounted to 2 bln naira.
Nigeria remains Africa’s largest palm oil producer and the fifth-largest producer globally. Domestic output is estimated at around 1.5 mln tons per year, but this is still insufficient to meet internal demand.
Rising consumption, limited productivity and challenges across the production chain continue to create a supply deficit. The shortfall had previously been estimated at around 1.25 mln tons of palm oil per year.
The Nigerian government has been implementing programs for several years to support the palm oil sector, increase production and reduce import dependence. However, 2026 trade data indicate that domestic supply is still failing to keep pace with demand.
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