Africa’s fresh fruit industry benefits from its diverse climates and landscapes, allowing for a wide variety of the commodity to be grown such as avocados, mangoes, papayas, bananas, and grapes. Through strategic Trade agreements, leading fruit producers in Africa are able to tap into markets in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The leading producers of the commodity in Africa include Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Uganda, Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria. For Nigeria, the country has significant potential for fruit cultivation due to its favourable climate and fertile soil. The country grows a variety of the commodities such as mangoes, bananas, plantains, oranges, citrus fruits, pineapples, pawpaw, watermelons, and guavas.
The country has seen a surge in its agricultural fresh product Export industry due to its ability to produce fruits and vegetables at low costs. This growth can be attributed to favourable Agro climatic conditions, abundant labor, and affordable inputs. In 2021, the country is projected to export fresh produce worth $1.2 billion, a 57.01% increase from the previous year. The global market for Nigerian agricultural products is thriving, presenting a wealth of opportunities for both exporters and farmers due to high demand and vast potential.
Processing capacity in the sector has remained stagnant.
Regardless, the country’s commodity’s market remains largely untapped, representing less than one percent of global trade. The potential for export growth is hindered by various factors such as production and marketing obstacles, poor transport infrastructure, disorganized supply chains, and a lack of storage facilities. Experts note that the processing capacity in the sector has remained stagnant without significant improvements or modernization efforts in recent years. While a significant amount of the nation’s fruit is both consumed within the country and exported, there is a noticeable shortage of facilities dedicated to processing it into items like juices, jams, as well as dried and frozen fruits.
Farmers of this commodity are facing a long-standing battle with waste due to the lack of necessary facilities to process the large amount of harvested commodities. The industry’s overall output is being affected by climate change, which has brought about changes in weather patterns, droughts, floods, and natural disasters leading to crop failures and losses. Experts stress that overcoming these obstacles will ensure industry expansion and help to fully capitalize on economic advantages. In fact, analysts have underscored that improved storage and transportation Infrastructure can have positive impacts on increasing the export of the commodity from Nigeria.
Excessive post-harvest waste is a major challenge.
Adetiloye Aiyeola, the Executive Secretary of AFGEAN, emphasized the importance of proper storage and transportation facilities in preserving the quality and freshness of agricultural produce. These facilities not only facilitate efficient distribution and exportation but also contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s fruit exports. Aiyeola pointed out that excessive post-harvest waste is a major challenge that needs to be addressed in order to strengthen the industry. Investing in the infrastructure for post-harvest operations, including cold chain facilities and packhouse systems, is imperative for the industry to thrive.
Over the past six years, Nigeria has faced a decrease in the export of the commodities when compared to other ECOWAS nations. This decline has led to substantial financial losses for both farmers and the country as a whole. Consequently, industry stakeholders have expressed worries about the low quantity of fruits and vegetables being sent for export. Experts believe that Nigeria’s reliance on importation of the commodity should be discouraged. They believe that Nigeria has the potential to become at the forefront in exporting fruit juices to other African countries. To achieve this, experts suggest that Nigeria focus on attracting foreign Investment and improving its production methods to increase exports.
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Dr. Obiora Madu, the Director-General of the African Centre for Supply Chain, highlights the importance of improving cold storage, supply chain infrastructure, and food processing in Nigeria to boost the country’s agricultural output and competitiveness in the global market. The demand for fruits and vegetables is rapidly growing worldwide, with consumption rates rising by more than 15 percent annually. In order to stay competitive in the industry, farmers must create processed items that meet global requirements. This can only be accomplished through teamwork between farmers, processors, and officials to guarantee quality and adherence to regulations.