Chicken prices set to soar as FG bans importation of poultry foods

Nigerians may have to pay more for chickens as the Federal Government has banned importation of poultry foods from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Many Nigerian homes rely on frozen poultry food which comes cheaper than live ones.  A kilo of frozen chicken presently cost between N5,500 and N6000. Those who can’t afford a kilo are allowed to buy half of it. Live chicken on the other hand costs between N20,000 and N40, 000 without any opportunity to buy half portion.

Aside from poultry food, the federal government also  banned the importation of cement, pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

According to a circular by the federal ministry of finance, signed by Wale Edun, the minister of finance, dated April 1, 2026,  the products are part of 17 items on a revised import prohibition list.

“Import Prohibition list (Trade), applicable only to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS Member States. It consists of 17 items,” the circular reads.

The revised import prohibition list is part of the 2026 fiscal policy measures (FPM) and tariff amendments.

“In addition, a grace period of ninety (90) days, commencing from the effective date of implementation of this circular, i.e., 1st April 2026, shall be granted to all importers who had opened Form ‘M’ and must have entered into irrevocable Trade Agreement before the coming into effect of this circular, to process and clear their goods at the prevailing duty rates,” the circular reads.

“However, any new import transaction entered from the 1st of April 2026, shall be subjected to the new import duty regime.

“These Fiscal Policy Measures which supersede the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures shall be published in the Official Federal Government Gazette.”

Below are list of the items on the revised import prohibition list.

(1). Live or dead birds, including frozen poultry

(2). Pork/beef, including tongues, livers, and shoulders of bovine animals

(3). Bird eggs, excluding hatching eggs of grand parent stock for breeding and research purposes

(4). Refined vegetable oil, excluding refined linseed, castor oil, olive oil, and hydrogenated vegetable fats, and crude vegetable oil

(5). Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form containing added flavouring or colouring matters

(6). Cocoa butter, powder and cakes, including fat and oil of cocoa and natural cocoa butter

(7). Tomatoes, whole or in pieces, tomato paste or concentrates

(8). Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweetening matter or flavoured, once snow, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages

(9). Bagged cement

(10). Medicament (medicine) under several headings

(11). Waste pharmaceuticals

(12). Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the three fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK)

(13). Soaps and detergents

(14). Corrugated paper and paper boards, cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper and paper boards

(15). Hollow glass bottles of a capacity exceeding 150 mis (0.15 litres), such as carboys, bottles and flasks

(16). Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600mm or more, clad, plated or coated – corrugated

(17). Ball point pen and parts, including refills (excluding tip) for Ball point pens, comprising the Ball point and ink-reservoir

Also, the federal government introduced 2 percent green tax surcharge or excise duty on motor vehicles with engine size of 2009 cc – 3999 cc and 4000 cc – above.