Novel 5-halogeno-6-amino-nicotinic acid halides of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents hydrogen or alkyl, R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl or acyl or R and R.sup.1, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, represent an optionally substituted heterocyclic radical, R.sup.2 represents halogen and Hal represents halogen, are prepared by halogenating the corresponding nicotinic acids. The Co Hal moiety is converted to CH.sub.3 by reaction with R.sup.3 OMgCR.sup.4 (COOR.sup.3).sub.2 (IV) in which R.sup.3 represents C.sub.1-3 alkyl and R.sup.4 represents hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 -alkyl, and then hydrolyzing and decarboxylating the product.