• The U.S. resumed soybean exports to Nigeria in 2024 with 64,000 tons shipped after a six-year pause

• A conference in Lagos aimed to boost agricultural ties and promote U.S. soy

• Nigeria’s soybean output fell 14% in three years, unable to meet rising domestic demand
  

The United States aims to strengthen its soybean exports to Nigeria. As part of this effort, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) organized the "Nigeria: NOW" conference in Lagos from June 23 to 27. The event brought together a wide range of Nigerian agricultural stakeholders, including poultry producers, nutritionists, and other industry players.

In a statement issued on June 26, the USSEC explained the initiative seeks to deepen trade relations between the two countries regarding soybeans. This responds to Nigeria's growing need for both plant and animal-based protein. "We are enthusiastic about the opportunities arising from the collaboration between USSEC and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria," said JoEllen Gorg, acting U.S. Consul General in Lagos.

This move follows the U.S.'s return to Nigeria's list of soybean suppliers after a six-year absence. In 2024, the U.S. exported 64,000 tons of soybeans to Nigeria, according to Trade Map data. Before that, Nigeria's total annual soybean imports averaged only 14,239 tons between 2019 and 2023.

"This renewed access offers a promising opportunity for deeper collaboration between U.S. Soy and Nigeria. By strengthening relationships, building trust, and leveraging comparative advantage, Nigeria and U.S. Soy can achieve mutually beneficial economic growth and a protein-secure future," the USSEC stated.

Soaring Demand Meets Sluggish Supply

The U.S. ambition to expand its footprint in Nigeria coincides with lagging domestic soybean production in Africa's most populous country. According to the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Nigeria's soybean output dropped by 14% from 1.1 million tons in 2021 to about 948,000 tons in 2024. Over the same period, the area under cultivation shrank by 21%.

While the precise reasons for the decline remain unclear, multiple factors are at play. Persistent insecurity in the northern and central regions has forced many farmers off their land, reducing cultivated acreage. Some formerly productive zones are now deemed high-risk, making it harder to access inputs, markets, and extension services.

On June 19, the Nigerian subsidiary of Singapore-based agribusiness group Olam launched a soybean sourcing program involving 5,000 smallholder farmers in Kwara State. The initiative aims to boost local soybean production and secure raw materials for its new soybean oil extraction plant, which has an annual processing capacity of 350,000 tons.

Written in French by Stéphanas Assocle,

Translated and adapted into English by Mouka Mezonlin