Nigeria imported apples valued at N32.26bn from other African countries in the first nine months of 2025. The import bill, according to stakeholders, revealed that the country’s local production is weak due to high input costs, climate challenges, poor policy support, and the perception of apples as an elite fruit.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that apples remained among Nigeria’s top-traded agricultural products in Africa during the period. Imports stood at N10.11bn in the first quarter of 2025, N9.06bn in Q2, and N13.08bn in Q3, totalling N32.26bn.

In separate telephone interviews with The PUNCH, stakeholders stated that the figures reflected structural bottlenecks that have constrained domestic apple cultivation. It also raised questions about the competitiveness of local production for local farmers.

The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Gettado, explained that apples were grown in limited quantities in Plateau State but suffered neglect due to poor government attention and the widespread view that the fruit was meant for the wealthy.

Gettado said, “In North Central Plateau State, apples grow very well. Unfortunately, people consider apples a fruit for the elite only. So, the government, especially the state government, has not been serious about mobilising farmers, training them, giving them improved varieties and the right inputs.”

He added that production remained “very small” because farmers lacked support, stressing that subsidised inputs delivered at the right time were critical to scaling output.

“What farmers require are inputs such as fertiliser, agrochemicals and improved varieties, and they must be given at the right time, before planting,” he said. “If farmers can get these, and also have access to markets, Nigeria can produce whatever it needs and even beyond.”

Gettado argued that wider availability and lower prices would help shed the image of apples as a luxury item. “If it is cheap and available, everybody will take it, the common man, the peasant farmer, because it is very healthy,” the AFAN chief said.

Other stakeholders cautioned that climate differences limited Nigeria’s ability to compete effectively in apple production. The Chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Agriculture and Allied Group, Tunde Banjoko, said Nigeria’s weather conditions were largely unfavourable for apples, except in a few cooler areas.

Apples are known to grow best in temperate climates with cold seasons providing 800–1,000+ chilling hours below 45°F (7°C) to break dormancy and ensure proper fruit set. It can also grow in moderate weather (ideally 65–75°F or 18–24°C). This helps with optimal growth and flavour development without excessive heat stress.

Banjoko remarked, “Due to our weather conditions, Africa is more suitable in certain climates than others. The only region I have seen some form of commercial planting is around Jos because the weather is a bit cold.”

He said Nigeria still relied heavily on imports, not only from Africa but also from Europe, adding that greenhouse cultivation would require heavy investment. He also dismissed claims that there may not be a widespread demand for apples, which could lower focused investments in apple cultivation.

“As of today, we still rely largely on importation for apples,” the LCCI agric leader said. “Because of our exchange rate, people are exploiting us, yet there is a large market. If there was no market, why are we importing over N32bn worth?”

Banjoko noted that apple prices had risen sharply, placing the fruit beyond the reach of many Nigerians. “An apple is over N1,000 now. Five years ago, you could buy it for N50 or N100,” he said, adding that targeted regional crop planning could help reduce import dependence.

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Kabir Ibrahim, argued that apples were not a commercially relevant crop in Nigeria, downplaying the prospects for large-scale local apple cultivation.

“Honestly, Apple is not an issue in Nigeria,” Ibrahim said. “Among all the farmer associations, I have not come across apple producers in commercial quantities.”

He observed that apples largely featured only in import data and warned against focusing policy attention on crops where Nigeria lacked a clear competitive advantage.

“If you don’t produce something here, or you are not producing enough, you import it as a necessity,” the NABG president stated. “I have never come across an organised group of apple producers. The ones you may see are not commercial.”