Nigerian Breweries Plc has intensified efforts to transition fully to locally grown barley as part of a long-term strategy to reduce its reliance on imported raw materials and conserve foreign exchange. The brewer currently spends about $150 million annually importing roughly 200,000 tonnes of malted barley, a cost it aims to significantly cut through domestic production.
The company recently showcased progress from its local barley trials during the 2026 Maltina Barley Field Day, where climate-adapted barley varieties delivered strong yields from Nigerian farms. Over 1,000 smallholder farmers participating in the pilot recorded combined harvests exceeding 1,000 tonnes, signalling growing commercial viability for the crop within Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
Brandspur Brand News understands that the initiative is anchored on years of structured research, field testing, and partnerships with agricultural institutions to ensure local barley meets industrial quality standards. The programme reflects Nigerian Breweries’ broader agenda to deepen local sourcing while strengthening rural livelihoods.
Speaking on the company’s vision, Thibaut Boidin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said the brewer is committed to building a sustainable barley value chain driven by Nigerian farmers. He noted that the goal is not just local cultivation, but the development of a dependable supply capable of meeting brewing-grade specifications consistently.
The project follows extensive collaboration with Lake Chad Research Institute and global barley breeder Secobra, which resulted in the registration of three high-yield barley varieties in 2024, Traveller, Explorer, and Prunella. These varieties were developed to withstand Nigeria’s climatic conditions while maintaining quality suitable for malting.
Participating farmers have been supported with improved seeds, fertilisers, mechanisation services, and guaranteed off-take arrangements to reduce market risks. Key partners include OCP Africa and Hello Tractor, both of which play roles in boosting productivity and operational efficiency across the value chain.
A supporting land suitability assessment identified about 400,000 hectares of farmland across several northern states as suitable for commercial barley cultivation. Nigerian Breweries plans to scale farmer participation to 20,000 by 2030, with additional backing from Propcom+, which has committed £330,000 to the project in 2026.
Supply Chain Director Federico Agressi said achieving a sustainable commercial barley ecosystem would require long-term investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and supportive policy frameworks, particularly amid ongoing foreign exchange pressures affecting manufacturers.
If fully realised, the local barley programme is expected to boost agricultural self-sufficiency, retain significant import spending within the Nigerian economy, and expand income opportunities for farmers, reinforcing Nigerian Breweries’ push for resilient local sourcing following its earlier successes with sorghum.
