In a recent disclosure, the Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) revealed that Nigeria's post-harvest losses in 2025 gapped between ₦3.5 trillion and ₦5 trillion. This staggering economic damage was attributed to the inefficient handling of food post-harvest, particularly affecting key agricultural products such as tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, and fish. An estimated 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food were lost due to these inefficiencies, resulting in severe consequences for the country’s food security and economy.

Mr. Alexander Isong, the President of OTACCWA, explained that these losses are a result of inadequate cold storage facilities, poor logistics, and underdeveloped infrastructure that plague Nigeria's agricultural sector. The losses indicate a significant failure in the food distribution process, where food that is already cultivated and harvested succumbs to spoilage before reaching the consumer. This not only impacts availability but also inflates prices and reduces income for farmers nationwide.

The economic implications of such vast post-harvest losses are profound, as they represent a significant erosion of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The staggering figure of ₦5 trillion lost in 2025 highlights the urgent need for investments in technology, logistics, and infrastructure improvements to enhance food preservation and reduce waste. Addressing these inefficiencies could potentially transform Nigeria's agricultural landscape and bolster the economy by improving food security and stabilizing market prices.