Nigeria’s agricultural export in the first three months January – March) of 2021 (Q1’21) stood at N127.2 billion.
This represents a 128 per cent increase when compared to N55.8 billion recorded in the previous quarter (Q4 2020).
The top Agro exports in Q1 2021 are as follows
1. Sesamum seeds (N41.94 billion)
Though unknown to many Nigerians, the seed – popularly called Benne seed in the Northern part of Nigeria – is an important crop to the Nigerian agricultural sector in particular, and Nigeria’s non-oil sector in general.
Data shows that 90 per cent of the sesame seed produced in the country is exported abroad. Currently, there are 26 sesame-growing states in Nigeria; Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Abuja.
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Nigeria is a large producer of sesame seed in African and is currently the 7th largest producer worldwide.
2. Cocoa bean (N35.49 billion)
Nigeria is a major player in the global cocoa industry, currently the fourth-largest producer, covering a 6.5 per cent share of global production.
Ondo state is the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria. The state records an output capacity estimated at 77,000 tons per annum. The state is situated in the Western part of the country, which is the major cocoa producing region.
Fourteen (14) states in Nigeria are notable for the production of cocoa, this is reflected in the latest prices of cocoa in the market today. The cocoa-producing States in Nigeria, namely; Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, and Delta.
3. Cashew nuts (N13.71 billion)
iBrandTV gathered that the nation has over 600,000 surviving cashew trees spread across the country, in all parts of the country. Currently, 75 per cent to 80 per cent of cashew nuts produced in Nigeria are exported, as only very few companies are involved in the local processing of the produce.
According to Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria is a leading exporter of premium quality raw cashew nuts, with an average 48 kernel yield out-turn.
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Cashew is grown in 19 States in Nigeria, which include Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Niger, Nassarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Taraba and Kwara.
4. Coconuts (N8.66 billion)
iBrandTV gathered that Coconut is grown in 20 states in the country, with Lagos State being the largest producer. The country produces 250,000 tonnes annually and is No. 18 in the world. Its yield and rank make it a fringe and sub-optimal producer.
The leading producing states out of the 20 are Niger, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Lagos and Ogun states.
Coconut is a high-fat fruit that has a wide range of health benefits. These include providing you with disease-fighting antioxidants, promoting blood sugar regulation, and reducing certain risk factors for heart disease.
5. Ginger (N5.57 billion)
Nigeria is producing almost 523,000 metric tonnes annually, among the world largest producers of ginger.
Nigeria has about 14 per cent share in total global production and is projected to keep growing at 6 per cent per annum.
Around 90 per cent of our production is exported. Our ginger especially stands out because of its pungency and high level of oleoresin oil, the active ingredient most people look for in ginger.
The top 5 ginger producing states in Nigeria are Kaduna state, Bauchi state, Benue State, Gombe State and Nasarawa.