Fertiliser consumption increases to new high despite costs

Fertiliser consumption increases to new high despite costs

Nigeria’s fertiliser consumption has climbed to a record 1.86 million metric tons, but this increase masks serious challenges faced by farmers, especially smallholders, due to soaring input costs. Retail fertiliser prices now range from about ₦34,683 to ₦40,041 per 50kg bag, levels many farmers consider unaffordable. This situation has drawn concern from the Senate, which in December urged the Federal Government to urgently reduce fertiliser prices to protect farmers’ livelihoods and prevent further strain on the agriculture sector.

During the Senate debate, lawmakers warned that while government policies such as import waivers have helped reduce food prices for consumers, they have unintentionally harmed local producers. Falling produce prices, combined with persistently high costs of fertilisers and other inputs like pesticides and insecticides, have led to post-harvest losses, income erosion, and reduced profitability for farmers. Senators cautioned that if the trend continues, it could result in lower domestic food production, rural economic stagnation, increased dependence on imports, and heightened vulnerability to global price and foreign exchange shocks.

Lawmakers also highlighted Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported inputs, arguing that this weakens local agriculture despite the country’s potential to feed itself and even export food. As a response, the Senate resolved to call for broad-based subsidies on fertilisers and farm inputs, the introduction of benchmark minimum prices and guaranteed off-take programmes, and a review of import waivers to ensure local produce can compete fairly with imported food.

Adding to domestic pressures, global fertiliser prices have been rising. Rabobank’s market analysts warned that increases in nitrogen, potash, and phosphate prices could push the global fertiliser industry into another contraction phase in 2026, further worsening affordability for farmers. In response, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture to launch a nationwide soil health and fertiliser efficiency programme. The initiative aims to improve yields, reduce waste, and lower costs by giving farmers data-driven guidance on fertiliser use and crop selection.

Despite the rise in total fertiliser consumption, actual usage intensity remains very low. Average application stood at just 20.1 kilograms per hectare in 2024, far below the 100–200 kilograms per hectare recommended for optimal yields. Analysts note that the increase in consumption mainly reflects more farmers accessing fertiliser, rather than existing users applying adequate amounts. High fertiliser prices are driven not only by the product itself but also by logistics, financing, bagging, and warehousing costs, which continue to put fertiliser beyond the reach of many smallholder farmers.

    The Nation, 9 Feb 2026