In total, a sum of N1.4 trillion was spent on importing prepared foodstuffs, beverages and vegetable products between July and September, 2025, according to the data published by the NBS.
A review of Nigeria’s foreign trade statistics for the third quarter of 2025 has shown heavy spending on food-related imports, with prepared foodstuffs, beverages and vegetable products accounting for a significant share of goods brought into the country.
Data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and reviewed by SaharaReporters revealed that prepared foodstuff, beverages, spirits and vinegar valued at N748 billion were imported between July and September 2025.
Within the same three-month period, vegetable products worth N697 billion were also imported into the country, underscoring Nigeria’s continued reliance on foreign food supplies despite repeated government pledges to boost local production.
In total, a sum of N1.4 trillion was spent on importing prepared foodstuffs, beverages and vegetable products between July and September, 2025, according to the data published by the NBS.
This expenditure on food and beverage imports comes amid quoted hunger in the country and the increased dollar to naira exchange rate.
The data further showed that live animals and animal products valued at N382 billion were imported during the quarter, while animal and vegetable fats and oils accounted for N140 billion in imports.
Beyond food-related items, Nigeria also imported plastics and rubber products worth N933 billion in the period under review. Vehicles, aircraft and related parts were imported at a cost of N1.6 trillion, while boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances topped the list with imports valued at N2.5 trillion.
In addition, textile materials and textile articles worth N248.3 billion were imported into the country during the third quarter of 2025.
The figures highlight the scale of Nigeria’s import dependence, particularly in foodstuffs and beverages, at a time of rising food prices and pressure on foreign exchange.
Earlier, a review of the foreign trade statistics published for the third quarter of 2025 showed that a total of N827.1 billion was spent on arms and ammunition importation into Nigeria between 2020 and September 2025, covering a period of five years and nine months.
According to the data, the amount spent on arms and ammunition importation in 2020 stood at N29.2 billion. In 2021, the figure rose to N72.4 billion, before dropping to N28.2 billion in 2022. Spending increased significantly in 2023, reaching N127.1 billion, and surged further in 2024 to N520 billion.
For the period between January and September 2025, arms and ammunition imports amounted to N50.2 billion.
This development comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of arms in Nigeria.
In June 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the United States raised alarm over the increasing spread of weapons among violent extremist groups in Nigeria following its withdrawal from Niger Republic.