Products
Facts Sheet
Cocoa Bean
Cocoa was first discovered in the amazon region of South America. Cocoa bean is Nigeria’s 2nd largest foreign exchange earner, next to crude oil and gas. Export of the commodity has evolved over time since the dissolution of the commodity boards more than any other exportable commodity.
South West states account for about 70% of Nigeria’s annual cocoa production. Ondo state is the largest producer of cocoa beans with about 55% of the country’s annual production.
Cocoa has well-defined quality grades which are determined by physical characteristics, flavour and processing yield. Poor quality attracts a discount, while good quality attracts a premium price.
Trade in the commodity is largely formal, through the Nigerian sea port.
The commodity is packaged for export in hydrocarbon-free jute bags.
Sesame Seeds
The commodity dates back more than 5,000 years. Sesame seeds are believed to be one of the first plants to be used for edible oil. The seeds come from Assyrian myth which claims that the gods drank sesame wine the night before they created the earth.
The commodity is native to East Indies. It is believed that African slaves brought sesame seeds which they called ‘benne’.
Varieties: White, Brown & Black
Product Availability: It is readily available during the season from North West, North East and North Central state. Benue, Nassarawa and Kano are leading states accounting for over 60% of annual production.
Marketability: The commodity is readily marketable if there are no quality issues. Purity level of sesame seed is of utmost importance to buyer.
Mode of Export: Trade in the commodity is largely formal, through the Nigerian sea port.
Packaging: The commodity is packaged for export in polypropylene bags.
Cashew Nut
White, Black and Brown
It is readily available during the season from North West, North East and North Central state. Benue, Nassarawa and Kano are leading states accounting for over 60% of annual production.
The commodity is readily marketable if there are no quality issues. Purity level of sesame seed is of utmost importance to buyer.
Trade in the commodity is largely formal, through the Nigerian sea port.
Cashew is packaged in standard polypropylene bags and exported as per contract requirements.
Trade has well established contracts which usually stipulate the packaging/markings: quality/weight: price: payment terms and other special conditions that must be acceptable to both exporter and importer.
Dry Split Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale), a common spice that was considered a luxury more than 5,000 years ago, has a very rich history. It is highly valued in international markets for its aroma, pungency and high oil and Aleo resin content.
It is readily available during the season from October to May. Gombe, Benue, Nassarawa and Bauchi are leading states of production in Nigeria.
Ginger is usually readily marketable. There are many buyers and sellers of the commodity. Major importing countries are USA, Netherland, India amongst others.
Ginger Is exported as dried-split. Trade in the commodity is largely formal, through the Nigerian sea port.
The commodity is packaged for export in jute bags.
Shea Nut/ Shea Butter
Shea Nut/Shea Butter is extracted from the nut of the Shea tree in West Africa and used as cosmetic and therapeutic skin care lotion for thousands of years. Its origins go as far back as Cleopatra’s Egypt, where it was carried in large clay jars for cosmetic use.
Shea nut is readily available in Niger, Kwara and Kebbi in its season, which spans from June to November.
Shea nut and Shea butter is usually readily marketable. There are many buyers and sellers of the commodity.
Trade in the commodity is largely formal, through the Nigerian sea port.
The commodity is packaged for export in polythene-lined boxes.
