According to the company, this decision to maintain prices
is as a result of the little reliance on FX for rice production. Prior to the
BUA Foods business integration which saw its listing in 2022, the BUA Group
Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, had stated that BUA’s goal would be to focus on
areas where raw materials can be sourced locally across all its business areas
including rice in order to promote food security in Nigeria and support the
government in national development.
According to a key distributor in Kano, he said distributors
were excited by this development and were sure that BUA Foods in its usual
fashion would crash the rice prices further as it had consistently done with
its other food products like flour, sugar, and pasta.
By prioritizing local agricultural resources, BUA Foods is
not only supporting Nigerian farmers but also contributing to the nation’s
self-sufficiency in rice and sugar production through backward integration.
BUA Foods steadfast commitment to its vision has gained
recognition and appreciation from stakeholders across the industry. The
company’s efforts to bolster the Nigerian agricultural sector have garnered
praise, positioning BUA Foods as a leader in the drive towards sustainable food
production.
The upgraded rice mill and parboiling plant will further
enhance BUA Foods’ rice production capacity, enabling the company to meet the
growing demand for its high-quality rice products whilst remaining committed to
delivering excellence and ensuring that consumers have access to top-notch rice
that is locally produced.
As BUA Foods continues to make significant strides in
advancing the Nigerian rice industry, the company remains focused on building
strong relationships with farmers, empowering local communities, and
contributing to the overall development of the nation’s agricultural landscape.