Rice processors, farmers groan as foreign rice return to markets

Multiple brands of foreign rice from countries including Thailand and India have returned to markets in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States.

Agricultural experts, rice dealers and farmers say the development has greatly affected local production while lamenting the porous borders.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had in August 2019 directed the closure of all land borders to stop the importation of rice.

On December 16, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the reopening of four: Seme in Lagos, Illela in Sokoto, Maigatari in Jigawa, and Mfum in Cross River.

In April 2022, Buhari, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), approved the reopening of four more: Idiroko in Ogun, Jibiya in Katsina, Kamba in Kebbi and Ikom in Cross River.

However, a new report by Economic Confidential, titled “How illicit rice importation threatens FG’s agricultural sector interventions”, shows foreign rice is back in circulation.

It was supported by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation.

The report said on demand, foreign rice is presented to intending buyers at Singer and Kura Rice Market in Kano, Central Market in Katsina, and Ultra Modern Market in Jigawa.

Local rice sighted were Umza, Al-hamsad rice, Gerawa rice, Labana Rice, Mighty Pure Rice, Tiamin, Fursa and Tomato King. Thailand rice is sold between N34,000 to N37,000.

In the Southern part of the country, it was found that the market price for illegally imported rice is cheaper than the locally-produced ones.

A processor in Lagos, Chief Kingsley Muoneke, hinted foreign rice is less costly because smugglers don’t pay levies or taxes to the government.

Kingsley said the cost varies and is pegged according to the proximity of the markets to borders through which the staple food is smuggled.

“At the warehouse, rice trades between N27,000-N28,000. But when moved from Alaba Rago, Sango Otta or Ijebu Ode, they add N1000-N1500 depending on transportation and security personnel they settle before reaching the market.”

The dealer added that smuggled rice is mostly sold between N30,000-N31,500, while those produced in the country go for about N33,000.

Mr Kingsley further revealed how made-in-Nigeria rice is sometimes cloned through repackaging and sold to consumers as foreign.

“The only way to get out of this is for the Nigeria Customs Service to step up and do their job diligently,” he charged the government.