FG suspends duties, tariffs, taxes on food

The federal government has announced a 150-day duty-free and tax-free window for the importation of food products.

During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, announced that the government’s measures to address food inflation would be implemented over the next 180 days.

His words: “A 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities. Suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities (through land and sea borders)

“These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas. Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).

“I am aware that some good citizens might be concerned about the quality of the would-be imported food commodities as it relates to the trending worries around the genetic composition of food. I am glad to reiterate that the Government’s position exemplifies standards that would not compromise the safety of the various food items for consumption.”

Kyari stated that, in addition to private sector imports, the federal government plans to import a significant quantity of food grains, including 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize.

The minister explained that the imported food commodities, which will arrive in a semi-processed state, are intended to supply small-scale processors and millers nationwide.