Exploring Future Pathways in Food and Consumer Economics: The Role of Agri-Food Trade in Nigeria

This study explored the future pathways in food and consumer economics and the role of agrifood trade in Nigeria. The comparative advantage theory was adopted as a theoretical framework. This study adopted a qualitative research design and the population of the study comprised of agricultural stakeholders involved in Nigeria’ s agri-food trade, including representatives from government ministries, trade associations, agribusiness companies, and NGOs focused on food security. A sample size of 20 stakeholders was selected and a purposive sampling technique was employed to identify participants with expertise and practical knowledge of the Nigerian agri-food sector. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, each interview was recorded, transcribed, and coded for thematic analysis, which enabled the identification of recurring themes and insights relevant to the study's objectives. The data analysis process involved organising the data into themes. The findings revealed that agrifood trade significantly impacts Nigeria’ s food security by supplementing domestic food production, especially in meeting the demand for staple foods. However, this dependency on food imports also exposes Nigeria to global price fluctuations, undermining local food security. On the economic development side, agri-food trade generates foreign exchange, supports rural livelihoods, and encourages investment in agriculture and agribusiness, but challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and poor policy implementation limit the sector’ s growth potential. Optimising trade policies and improving infrastructure could unlock greater benefits for both food security and economic development in the country. The study concluded that agri-food trade plays a pivotal role in enhancing Nigeria's food security and economic development by supplementing domestic food production and generating income through exports. The study recommended that Nigeria should invest in improving agricultural infrastructure, reduce reliance on food imports through policy reforms, and support local production to enhance food security and economic growth.