Have you been craving a taste of any of the choicest California wines?
If you live in Nigeria, you must have observed that wine is one of the drinks you find on the table whenever Nigerians gather in clubs, ceremonies and other events.
Most of the wine bottles you find in Nigeria come from France, Spain, South Africa or the U.S. (1).
In fact, Nigeria’s import of wine is in that order, with France towering as the highest exporter to Nigeria.
Now, the United States wants to up its share of the Nigerian market, opening up more business opportunities in this sector.
Recently, the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in collaboration with the California Wine Institute organised a trade promotion event in Lagos.
A Wine Testing Event
This event connected 18 California wineries with the Nigerian business community. One of the reasons for the event is to strengthen agricultural trade ties between the two countries.
At the event, more than 160 award-winning California wines, from crisp whites to bold reds, were showcased during a wine tasting event.
The wine testing event was attended by over 120 Nigerian wine importers, distributors and retailers.
Also, at the meeting were big names in the hospitality industry and wine lovers who discussed the growing market potential for U.S. wines in Nigeria.
In addition to the wine tasting experience, the California Wine Institute organised a specialised seminar for local wine importers and leading Nigeria restaurateurs.
At that meeting the institute, highlighted opportunities for mutually beneficial trade.
Acting U.S. Consul General, JoEllen Gorg, underscored the pivotal role of the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in expanding U.S.-Nigeria agricultural trade.
Excellent Reputation Globally
According to her, Nigeria is the largest market in Africa for U.S. wines. It has exports valued at $7.8 million in 2024, a 65% increase from 2023.
“The United States is proud to offer the highest quality products to consumers around the world.
“California wines represent some of the best in the world,” Acting Consul General Gorg said.
“Home to over 5,000 wineries, most of them family-owned, multi-generational businesses, California makes over 80% of U.S. wine and ranks the 4th among world’s wine producers.”
Also, the Vice President for International Marketing at the California Wine Institute, Honore Comfort, explained that the trade promotion event was an opportunity to showcase the diversity and quality of California wines that have earned an excellent reputation globally.
“We are excited to kick off our 2025 Africa Tasting Tour in Lagos to increase knowledge of and interest in California wines across the continent,” Comfort added.
The California Wine Institute is the trade organisation of California wineries.
2025 Africa Testing Tour
The 2025 Africa Tasting Tour is a trade mission organised with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
In addition to Lagos, the Africa tour includes stops in Nairobi, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa.
The Foreign Agricultural Service is the overseas arm of the United States Department of Agriculture.
It offers a variety of services to American and Nigerian agribusiness companies and government and non-government entities involved in agricultural trade and development.
Staffed with dedicated agri-business specialists, the Foreign Agricultural Service helps Nigerian agri-businesses to scale their business profitability.
This it does by connecting them to U.S. exporters of new and competitive agricultural and food solutions.
These solutions help them evolve in a rapidly changing business environment.
If you are a businessman and you want to know the cost of importing wine into Nigeria, this video could help.
