Nigeria Demands U.S. Wheat

Nigeria, one of the top importers of U.S. wheat, has become a success story for U.S. trade relations. The market has grown from purchasing 12.9 million bushels of U.S. wheat in 1992 to about 98.8 million bushels in the 13/14 marketing year. Tremendous growth in the Nigerian market is partially due to trade team visits to learn about the U.S. grain industry. To encourage this trade partnership, the Kansas Wheat Commission hosted eight senior managers from Nigerian milling and pasta manufacturing companies in June 2014.

“The growth of U.S. wheat exports to Nigeria has been exceptional,” said USW Regional Assistant Director Gerald Theus, based in Cape Town, South Africa, who accompanied the team. “Thanks to the relationships built in Nigeria and between the farmers, USW and Nigerian millers on teams like these, U.S. wheat has found a home in Nigeria. And it is there to stay.”

While in Kansas, the executives toured the AgMark grain handling terminal in Concordia in order to see first-hand the technology and innovation present in the wheat industry. Participants also met with Kansas State University instructors at the International Grains Program, visited the USDA Center for Grain and Animal Health Research and toured the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center. 

Aaron Harries, director of marketing for Kansas Wheat, traveled with the team during their time in Kansas.

“Nigerian flour millers continue to be extremely good customers for Kansas wheat farmers.  Fifty percent of the Kansas wheat crop is exported every year, and Nigeria has been the top buyer in most recent years. They love the consistent quality they get in wheat from the U.S.”

United States wheat continues to dominate Nigeria’s import market, even with increased competition from suppliers like Canada and Australia. A large factor in this trading success story are the relationships that are developed between the supplier and the buyer because of these trade team experiences. After the conclusion of their U.S. wheat industry tour, these eight executives went back to their facilities with a better understanding of the quality and reliability of the U.S. wheat industry.