Nigeria’s NAFDAC reinforces ban on imported frozen poultry, catfish
NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reasserted its prohibition on importing, selling, and distributing frozen chicken, turkey, and catfish in Nigeria.
The agency announced this policy via its official X account, emphasizing its aim to support local farmers and producers.
This move follows warnings issued last year by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), which had expressed concerns over the survival of the poultry sector after foreign exchange restrictions on frozen chicken imports were removed.
PAN highlighted the potential collapse of Nigeria’s US$15.6 billion poultry industry, which employs over 20 million people.
During an awareness event held at Kado Fish Market in Abuja, NAFDAC’s Federal Capital Territory Director, Kenneth Azikiwe, advised traders to ensure proper storage of frozen products and to prioritize selling locally produced, certified goods.
In response, Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the Abuja Fish and Frozen Food Sellers Association, promised compliance with the regulations but urged authorities to enforce the rules equitably.
NAFDAC reiterated its position on food safety and its ongoing enforcement of measures aimed at protecting Nigeria’s agricultural industry.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian poultry industry has faced a tumultuous year.
It was recently reported that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is investigating alleged cartel-like practices that have led to inflated poultry prices.
According to the FCCPC, dominant players in the sector are manipulating supply to maintain higher prices for eggs and chicken, limiting consumer access to affordable protein and squeezing profits for smaller producers.
The commission’s investigations uncovered restrictive trade practices throughout the supply chain, from feed procurement to product distribution, with major market players reportedly influencing the availability and cost of poultry products.
Feed prices, which constitute a significant portion of production costs, have been a major driver of these market distortions.
Some feed manufacturers, linked to the groups under investigation, have allegedly reduced supplies or raised prices, forcing smaller farmers to either increase their prices or exit the market.
In Lagos State, poultry farmers continue to grapple with rising costs of raw materials needed for egg production.
The escalating expenses have driven up egg prices, with PAN’s Lagos chapter calling for immediate government intervention to stabilize the market and support struggling farmers.
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