Nigerian Breweries cultivates local barley to cut US$150M import billl, build domestic supply chain
Nigerian Breweries successfully pilots local barley cultivation with smallholder farmers, aiming to reduce imports and develop a sustainable domestic barley supply chain for Nigeria’s brewing industry.
NIGERIA – Nigerian Breweries Plc has successfully cultivated locally grown barley as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported malted barley and strengthen the country’s agricultural supply chains.
The brewer presented the results during its Maltina Barley Field Day held in Ringim, highlighting progress from the pilot phase of the Maltina Barley Programme.
The initiative is designed to establish a sustainable barley value chain while creating new opportunities for smallholder farmers across northern Nigeria.
Nigeria currently imports about 200,000 tonnes of malted barley annually for brewing and beverage production, costing more than $150 million each year, according to the company.
Through the pilot programme, more than 1,000 smallholder farmers participated in barley cultivation during the current season, with expected output projected to exceed 1,000 tonnes.
The company said the pilot results demonstrate that barley can be commercially cultivated in Nigeria’s northern region and could significantly reduce dependence on imports if domestic production is scaled.
“Our ambition is clear: to develop a barley value chain that is rooted in Nigerian soil, powered by Nigerian farmers, and capable of meeting the quality standards required by industry,” said Thibaut Boidin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc.
“However, this ambition cannot be achieved by the private sector alone,” Boidin added, noting that government support and collaboration with industry stakeholders will be essential to scale the initiative.
The brewer stated that expanding production to industrial levels would require coordinated efforts involving policymakers, financiers, agricultural input suppliers and farmers.
Federico Agressi, Supply Chain Director at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the development of a commercial barley value chain will take sustained commitment.
“Building a sustainable commercial barley value chain in Nigeria is a long journey,” Agressi said.
“It will require hard work and persistence from everyone involved, including strong and consistent support from the government,” he added.
The company said research conducted in partnership with the Lake Chad Research Institute and Secobra Research led to the registration of three high-yield barley varieties in 2024, including Traveler, Explorer and Prunella.
A separate study conducted with IDH – The Sustainable Trade Initiative and Dalberg identified more than 400,000 hectares of land across northern Nigeria that are suitable for barley cultivation.
Nigerian Breweries Plc said the programme aims to support about 20,000 farmers by 2030, although expansion will depend on policy stability, access to financing and continued import allowances during the transition period.
The initiative comes as the brewer reported a strong financial recovery. The company posted a net profit of N99.1 billion last year after previously reporting losses in 2024 due to foreign exchange pressures.
With improved local sales, the company recorded revenue of N1.5 trillion, its highest level to date.
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