Nigeria Losing N3.5 Trillion to Post Harvest Storage 

Nigeria is losing 3.5 trillion naira annually to post-harvest losses, with 40% of its food production wasted due to inadequate cold storage facilities.

However, this challenge presents an opportunity for the private sector to invest in cold storage infrastructure and logistics, according to industry experts.

The recommendation by the Nigerian government and stakeholders that at least 5,000 cold trucks and 100 cold rooms, each with a 500-tonne capacity, are needed to address this issue has sparked interest among private sector players. The investment is expected to not only reduce post-harvest losses but also increase food availability, improve food quality, and stimulate economic growth.

“This is a golden opportunity for the private sector to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector,” said Dr. John Okoro, an agricultural expert. “By investing in cold storage infrastructure and logistics, private companies can help reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products in the global market.”

The private sector can play a vital role in bridging the infrastructure gap in cold storage, and in doing so, help to reduce post-harvest losses, increase food availability, and stimulate economic growth. Some of the ways the private sector can capitalize on this opportunity include investing in cold storage infrastructure, providing cold chain logistics services, and offering cold storage as a service to farmers, wholesalers, and retailers.

“The private sector has a critical role to play in addressing the issue of post-harvest losses in Nigeria,” said Mrs. Nneoma Okoro, a representative of the Nigerian Private Sector Alliance. “We are calling on private sector players to take advantage of this opportunity and invest in cold storage infrastructure and logistics. The potential returns on investment are significant, and the benefits to the economy, farmers, and consumers are substantial.”

The investment in cold storage infrastructure is expected to create jobs, increase food availability, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians. It is also expected to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products in the global market, thereby increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

The Nigerian government has pledged to support private sector investment in cold storage infrastructure and logistics, with incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies, and access to financing. The government has also established a task force to facilitate the investment process and ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the growth of the cold storage industry.

As the private sector begins to invest in cold storage infrastructure and logistics, Nigerians can expect to see a significant reduction in post-harvest losses, an increase in food availability, and an improvement in the quality of life for millions of people.