‘Nigeria Has Food Preservation Crisis, Not Production’

Nigeria does not have a food shortage but a preservation failure, as there is a need for a policy and finance reset to tackle waste that cripples agro-processing and farmer incomes.

This was the submission of the founder and CEO of Terroso Group, Opeoluwa Runsewe.

Speaking during a virtual press conference on ‘Post-Harvest Losses: The Business Case for Cold Chain Investment and Agro-Industrialisation,’ Runsewe advocated infrastructure-grade loans for cold chain, tax incentives, lower import duties on components, standardised storage rules, and a national strategy via public-private partnerships, framing preservation as a macroeconomic priority tied to GDP, inflation, and food security.

Runsewe revealed that Nigeria loses between 30 and 50 per cent of its agricultural produce post-harvest, primarily due to the absence of an integrated cold chain ecosystem for food preservation.

He noted that while agricultural output had improved in recent years, the infrastructure required to preserve perishable goods from farm gate to consumer remains critically underdeveloped.

“Nigeria does not have a food shortage problem; we have a preservation problem. Until we build a fully integrated, temperature-controlled value chain, we will continue to lose up to half of what we produce. Cold chain infrastructure is not just an agricultural need; it is an economic imperative,” Runsewe stated.

Runsewe identified key challenges, including minimising wastage, maintaining quality through proper storage conditions, and ensuring a consistent year-round supply of seasonal produce.

He further explained that the lack of storage infrastructure forces many farmers into distress sales, weakening their bargaining power and limiting income potential.

Addressing the role of policy and finance, Runsewe called for a shift in how Nigeria’s banking sector approaches agricultural infrastructure.

He advocated infrastructure-grade financing models tailored to cold chain development, alongside policy reforms such as tax incentives, reduced import duties on key components, standardised storage regulations, and the establishment of a national cold chain strategy through public-private partnerships.

According to him, solving post-harvest losses should be treated as a macroeconomic priority with direct implications for GDP growth, food security, and inflation control.

On export competitiveness, Runsewe emphasised the importance of meeting international quality standards through locally adapted solutions.

He highlighted practical interventions, including solar-powered cold rooms, integrated packhouses, and partnerships with third-party logistics providers, noting that temperature control from the point of harvest is critical to reducing rejection rates in global markets.

As calls grow for increased investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, he stressed that sustained dialogue and collaboration are essential to addressing systemic challenges and unlocking long-term value.

He called on investors, development partners, policymakers, and private-sector players to collaborate to scale infrastructure, strengthen capacity, and accelerate innovation to build a more efficient and resilient food system in Nigeria.