MILK OR MIMIC? NIGERIA’S DAIRY MARKET FLOODED WITH INFERIOR EU PRODUCTS
N686 Billion Worth of Fat-Filled Milk Powder Imported from Ireland in 3 Years
An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES has uncovered a shocking truth about Nigeria’s dairy market. Despite its popularity, the market is dominated by fat-filled milk powder (FFMP), a product that is not classified as milk in Europe, where it is manufactured. In fact, between 2020 and 2023, Ireland exported FFMP valued at N686 billion to Nigeria.
FFMP is made by blending skimmed milk powder with vegetable fat, removing some or all of the original milk fat. While it may look and taste like milk, it is a far cry from the real thing. Yet, Nigerian consumers are unaware of the difference, and the product is widely advertised and sold as milk.
Traders of dairy products in major markets across the country, including Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Lagos states, are also misinformed about FFMP. Many believe it is simply a matter of taste preference, rather than a difference in quality.
One trader, Chisom Odirichukwu, was shocked to learn that the sachets of milk powder in his store were not actually milk. “Some of my customers prefer whole cream milk, while some would always request fat-filled milk products,” he said, pointing to packs of Milksi and Kerrygold on his shelf.
The Nigerian regulator has acknowledged that FFMP products “are not categorised as milk in the same way as whole milk powder or skimmed milk powder.” Yet, the product remains a staple in many Nigerian homes, sold in supermarkets, open markets, and even by street vendors.
The investigation has raised concerns about the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and the need for greater awareness and regulation of the dairy market. As one consumer, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We deserve to know what we are putting in our bodies.”
