Wholesale Foodstuff Business in Nigeria: Full Details With Complete Breakdown + Price List

Introduction

The wholesale foodstuff business in Nigeria is a highly profitable venture due to the consistent demand for food, driven by a population exceeding 200 million and a cultural emphasis on diverse, fresh ingredients. This sector involves purchasing food items in bulk—such as grains, tubers, spices, and processed goods—and selling them to retailers, restaurants, or consumers. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the wholesale foodstuff market in Nigeria, covering key products, suppliers, pricing factors, and a detailed price list based on available data.

Overview of the Wholesale Foodstuff Market in Nigeria

Nigeria’s foodstuff market thrives on the necessity of daily consumption, with staples like rice, beans, yam, garri, and palm oil forming the backbone of most diets. The wholesale model allows entrepreneurs to source products at lower prices from farmers or markets and sell at a markup to retailers, hotels, schools, or individual consumers. The rise of online platforms like Whu Dey Sell, Supermart.ng, and Agrohandlers has transformed the market, making bulk purchasing more accessible and reducing the need for physical market visits.

The market is regionally diverse, with northern Nigeria favoring grains like millet and sorghum, while southern regions prefer cassava and yam. Urban centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are key hubs for wholesale distribution due to high demand and accessibility. The industry is also supported by a growing export market for Nigerian foodstuffs, catering to the diaspora in the UK, USA, and Canada.

Key Foodstuff Products

The following are popular foodstuff categories available for wholesale in Nigeria:

Grains: Rice (foreign and local), beans (oloyin, white, brown), millet, maize, sorghum.
Tubers: Yam, cassava, garri (white and yellow), yam flour.
Oils: Palm oil, groundnut oil, vegetable oil.
Spices and Condiments: Dried pepper, crayfish, ogiri, banga spice, stockfish.
Processed Foods: Spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, tomato paste, canned goods.
Dried and Smoked Foods: Dried fish (panla, catfish), kilishi, stockfish.
Beverages: Bottled water, fruit juices, malt drinks.

Key Suppliers and Platforms

Several suppliers and platforms dominate the wholesale foodstuff market in Nigeria:

Agrohandlers: An online store offering bulk Nigerian food items with delivery in Lagos, UK, USA, and Canada. Known for affordable prices and efficient logistics. Contact: www.agrohandlers.com (https://www.agrohandlers.com/)
Wigmore Trading: A Lagos-based wholesaler supplying food and beverages to businesses across West Africa. Offers products like biscuits, noodles, and beverages. Contact: sa***@************ng.com
Whu Dey Sell: Specializes in locally sourced staples like garri, beans, and palm oil, with competitive pricing for bulk orders.
Supermart.ng: Nigeria’s leading online supermarket, offering over 10,000 groceries with same-day delivery in Lagos. Ideal for bulk purchases.
Jumia Nigeria: Stocks a wide range of foodstuffs, including rice, oils, and spices, with discounts for bulk orders and free delivery on eligible items.
Konga Nigeria: Offers bulk food items like grains and processed foods, with payment-on-delivery options.
FoodLocker: Ibadan-based online store for foodstuffs, offering wholesale options and doorstep delivery. Contact: +234 903 1787 037
Humblesage Food: Specializes in processed and packaged African foodstuffs, offering wholesale and export services. Contact: www.humblesagefood.com[](https://humblesagefood.com/foodstuff-seller-in-nigeria/)
Alaba Rago Market (Lagos): A major physical market for grains like rice, beans, and millet at competitive prices.
Cokodeal.com: An e-commerce platform for foodstuff exports, connecting wholesalers to international buyers.

Factors Affecting Wholesale Prices

Several factors influence the wholesale prices of foodstuffs in Nigeria:

Seasonality: Prices fluctuate based on harvest seasons. For example, yam prices drop during peak harvest (August-October) but rise during scarcity.
Inflation and Exchange Rates: The naira’s depreciation increases costs for imported goods like foreign rice and spaghetti.
Supply and Demand: High demand for staples like beans and garri during off-seasons raises prices.
Transportation Costs: Fuel prices and logistics challenges, especially for rural sourcing, affect final prices.
Quality and Source: Organic or locally sourced products may cost more due to quality standards, while imported goods incur customs duties.
Middlemen: Intermediaries can inflate prices or supply lower-quality goods, impacting profitability.
Packaging and Processing: Pre-packaged or branded items (e.g., Humblesage Food products) cost more than raw foodstuffs.

Wholesale Price List (Approximate, as of 2025)

The following price list is compiled from online platforms (Jiji.ng, Jumia, Whu Dey Sell), supplier data, and X posts. Prices are in Nigerian Naira (NGN) and approximate, varying by location, season, and supplier.

Product	Description	Quantity	Wholesale Price (NGN)	Source
Foreign Rice	High-quality, long-grain, polished	50kg bag	85,000 – 100,000	Jiji.ng, @ademoye_mercy
Local Rice	Stone-free, medium-grain	50kg bag	60,000 – 80,000	Alaba Rago Market
Beans (Oloyin)	Clean, no preservatives	50kg bag	70,000 – 90,000	FoodLocker, Jiji.ng
Garri (White)	Fine, dry, Ijebu or yellow	50kg bag	35,000 – 50,000	Whu Dey Sell
Yam	Fresh, medium-sized tubers	100 tubers	100,000 – 150,000	Jiji.ng, @Arikeventures
Palm Oil	Pure, unadulterated	25L jerrycan	30,000 – 45,000	Humblesage Food
Groundnut Oil	Pure, cold-pressed	25L jerrycan	40,000 – 55,000	@Arikeventures
Dried Fish (Panla)	40 pieces, smoked, cleaned	Pack of 40	15,000 – 16,000	Humblesage Food
Stockfish Fillet	High-quality, no preservatives	1kg	75,000 – 78,000	Humblesage Food
Spaghetti	Branded, high-quality	Carton (20 packs)	12,000 – 15,000	@the_scholar1
Tomato Paste	Sachet, branded	Carton (50 sachets)	8,000 – 12,000	Supermart.ng
Maggi Cubes	Original, clean	Carton (100 cubes)	3,500 – 5,000	@Arikeventures

Notes:

Bulk Discounts: Suppliers like Wigmore Trading and Agrohandlers offer 5-10% discounts for orders exceeding 100 units.
Shipping Costs: Online platforms may charge NGN 2,000-10,000 for delivery, depending on location. Free delivery is available on eligible orders from Jumia and Supermart.ng.
Seasonal Variations: Prices for tubers and grains drop during harvest seasons (e.g., August-October for yam) but rise during scarcity (February-May).
Export Pricing: Export orders via Cokodeal.com or Humblesage Food may include additional packaging and shipping costs (NGN 10,000-50,000).

Where to Buy Wholesale Foodstuffs

Physical Markets: Alaba Rago Market (Lagos), Oje Market (Ibadan), and New Gbagi Market (Ibadan) offer grains and tubers at low prices.
Agrohandlers: Online bulk supplier with delivery to Lagos and abroad. Ideal for export markets.
Wigmore Trading: Supplies restaurants and supermarkets with grains, noodles, and beverages.
Whu Dey Sell: Offers staples like garri and beans for bulk buyers, with competitive pricing.
Supermart.ng: Online supermarket with over 10,000 groceries, ideal for Lagos-based buyers.
Jumia and Konga: Wide range of foodstuffs with bulk discounts and nationwide delivery.
FoodLocker: Ibadan-based supplier with wholesale options and fast delivery.
Humblesage Food: Specializes in processed foodstuffs for local and export markets.
Cokodeal.com: E-commerce platform for foodstuff exports, connecting wholesalers to global buyers.
Alibaba: Global platform for imported foodstuffs, with MOQs starting at 100 units. Requires logistics planning.

Tips for Wholesale Buyers

Conduct Market Research: Understand regional preferences (e.g., sorghum in the north, yam in the south) to stock in-demand products.
Source Directly: Buy from farmers or markets like Alaba Rago to reduce costs by avoiding middlemen.
Negotiate Discounts: Secure lower prices for bulk orders (e.g., 100+ bags) from suppliers like Wigmore Trading.
Invest in Storage: Use warehousing and refrigeration to maintain quality, especially for perishable items like fish and yam.
Register Business: Register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and obtain NAFDAC/SON permits for legitimacy and compliance.
Leverage Online Platforms: Use Whu Dey Sell or Supermart.ng for price comparisons and bulk ordering convenience.
Monitor Trends: Stock trending items like beans and garri, which have consistent demand.
Plan for Seasonality: Buy during harvest seasons to capitalize on lower prices and stockpile for off-seasons.

Challenges and Solutions

Price Fluctuations: Mitigate by diversifying product offerings and sourcing from multiple regions.
Middlemen Issues: Build direct relationships with farmers or cooperatives to ensure quality and lower costs.
Logistics: Partner with reliable logistics providers like Valuehandlers for efficient delivery.
Inflation: Hedge by stocking non-perishable goods like grains and oils during stable periods.

Conclusion

The wholesale foodstuff business in Nigeria is a lucrative opportunity due to constant demand and diverse product needs. By sourcing from reliable suppliers like Agrohandlers, Wigmore Trading, and Whu Dey Sell, and leveraging physical markets like Alaba Rago, entrepreneurs can achieve significant profit margins. Prices vary based on seasonality, quality, and import costs, but bulk purchasing ensures cost savings. With careful planning, direct sourcing, and compliance with regulations, this business can thrive in Nigeria’s vibrant food market. For the latest prices and supplier details, visit platforms like Jumia, Supermart.ng, or contact suppliers directly.

Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and based on data as of 2025. Confirm with suppliers for exact pricing, as costs may vary due to economic factors, seasonality, and exchange rates.