Nigeria is boosting vegetable exports
In the last two years in particular, Nigeria’s non-oil exports have received a boost from the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry; the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and support from the African Development Bank.
Progress, a few years down the line, can be measured by looking at the export of -for instance- vegetables.
Between 2014 and 2015, Nigeria’s export of vegetables amounted to an average of N400 billion (€ 902 mln) annually. In 2016, vegetable exports generated N413 billion (€930 mln). Interestingly, in just nine months in 2017, the same item has generated N426.6 billion (€961 mln) of foreign income for the nation, 3.14 percent more than the entire export in 2016.
In an article on businessdayonline.com it is however mentioned that as other countries are increasing their investments in agriculture, Nigerian exporters of vegetables and vegetable oils should prepare for stiff competition.
Another area full of challenges is sustainable agriculture, which is gathering momentum in the EU with the effect that operators from the different supply chains are mandated to source raw materials from agricultural production systems that are sustainable.
