Nigeria's Border Policy Leaves Concerns About Rice Shortage
The closure of Nigeria's land borders may be impelling local rice producers to raise their capacities in response to concerns about the consequent shortage, which has induced price hike.
Rice is the most popular food staple in Nigeria with local demand in excess of seven million tonnes. But until the border closure policy was enforced in August, widespread and largely unchecked smuggling through the country's western boundary with Benin Republic accounted for much of the rice consumed in the country.
This helped to cover the deficit due to the lower local production compared to demand. Businesses in Benin, a nation of 11 million people, about five per cent of Nigeria's population, would import rice from Thailand, for instance, and re-export to their much bigger neighbour Nigeria.
So, with the border closure, the consequence has been a shortage, traders told PREMIUM TIMES.
Rice is the most popular food staple in Nigeria with local demand in excess of seven million tonnes. But until the border closure policy was enforced in August, widespread and largely unchecked smuggling through the country's western boundary with Benin Republic accounted for much of the rice consumed in the country.
This helped to cover the deficit due to the lower local production compared to demand. Businesses in Benin, a nation of 11 million people, about five per cent of Nigeria's population, would import rice from Thailand, for instance, and re-export to their much bigger neighbour Nigeria.
So, with the border closure, the consequence has been a shortage, traders told PREMIUM TIMES.
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