Procedure on How to Export Cocoa from Nigeria
JEROME MICHAEL EBRUPHIYO
Friday, July 9, 2021
Business
Nigeria’s agricultural industry provided jobs to over 70% of the population in the mid 19th century. The primary product was cocoa, and the success of the market was immortalized in Cocoa House in Ibadan, Oyo state, a house named for the successful crop that funded its existence. The focus shifted starting in the 1970s and 1980s after the discovery of crude oil, and crude oil became the country’s top export. With faltering crude oil prices, the Nigerian economy began looking for other products to export, and once again, Nigeria has returned to cocoa as a viable alternative to increase jobs and boost the economy. According to MIT’s Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), cocoa is among Nigeria’s top exports. Though it only represents 2% of the nation’s exports, the cocoa bean is the third largest export from Nigeria after crude petroleum and petroleum gas. Cocoa exports are a $740 Million USD industry in Nigeria. After a decrease in exports overall from 2011 to 2016, the nation has recently experienced growth and increase of the local cocoa crop. Nigeria is one of the top producers of cocoa in the region, after Ivory Coast and Ghana. Last year, the President of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sayina Ramina, predicted that cocoa production would likely exceed 300,000 tonnes in fall 2017. In recent years, cocoa production has fallen into steady decline with output close to 200,000 tonnes. He attributed the increase in the cocoa crop to steady rains in the region. Ultimately the yield exceeded 300,000, proving ICCO’s (the International Cocoa Organization) predictions to be inaccurate. There are two cocoa production seasons in Nigeria, the primary season from October to February, and a lighter but productive yield from April to September. This article will provide the procedure on how to export Cocoa from Nigeria, Which Nigerian State is the Highest cocoa producing state, how much is a tonne of cocoa sold in Nigeria etc.
In 2017, Nigeria exported over 300,000 tons of cocoa. In recent years, the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) has taken steps to improve the cocoa export and revive Nigeria’s agricultural sector. In the past year, cocoa production in Nigeria has increased by 20% from 2016 to 2017. Despite being one of the top producers of cocoa in the world, many experts believe that Nigeria still isn’t producing to its full potential. The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) funded a program with the partnership of several chocolate confectionary companies to assist farmers in getting the resources they need to maintain their farms. This assistance including training on better farming practices, educating farmers on pesticide application and providing training in other trades, such as soap making, to help farmers balance their income in the offseason.
It’s important to note that unlike many countries, which export goods in a variety of formats, cocoa in Nigeria usually sells in its unprocessed state. Nigerian cocoa is most commonly exported as powder, raw cocoa beans, cocoa cake, and finally cocoa butter. The unfortunate aspect of this fact is that most value of cocoa is found in its refined or processed state when it is used to make chocolate. Due to lack of infrastructure and cocoa processing facilities, farmers lose the opportunity to obtain maximum value for the product. The bulk of the cocoa’s value is recouped in Europe, where it is processed and sold as chocolate. Today, Nigeria has a single processing plant, Ede Cocoa Processing plant, in Osun state. The factory produces a variety of cocoa products including cocoa powder, chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa cake. Even though a few factories remain in the region, they have produced less than 3,000 tonnes as of summer 2018, which is much lower than their factory’s capacity. Although Nigeria and the African continent produces most of the world’s chocolate in its raw form, Nigerians still import the finished product. Experts hope that factories like Ede Cocoa Processing Plant will limit the need for importing chocolate and increase consumption of local products.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) based in Ivory Coast maintains a directory of farmers, exporters, and other professionals related to the cocoa industry. Although Nigeria was a member in 2010, the country is not listed among the organization’s members in 2018. The list of cocoa exporters in Nigeria include:
FTN Cocoa Processors Plc
Ideal Risku Global Limited
Saro Agro-Allied
Tosmega Cocoa Nigeria Limited
Akeen and Kamoru Nigeria Ltd
Berveek Limited
Cocoa Products (Ile Oluji) Ltd
Remedy Crown Investment
Shinwillcrown Cocoa Producing Company
The list of cocoa bean exporters of bulk and wholesale cocoa beans from Nigeria include:
Agro traders Ltd
Crystal Green Ltd
Gbemtan Investment Ltd
Olatunde International Ltd
Agebelere Cocoa Farm
Okon & Sons Integrated Services Ltd
Ose Global Bizness Links Nig. Ltd.
Terry Cocoa Merchant
Yinka Akintilo Enterprises Ltd
Nigeria Cocoa Export Data
By joining a cocoa trading association, you’ll have access to Nigerian cocoa export data. Independent bodies, such as the OECD also maintain specific data on countries. From time to time local news sources also report on Nigerian cocoa export data. The following are a few resources to obtain updated and accurate data on Nigeria cocoa exports:
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Observatory of Economic Complexity maintains visual data representations of exports and imports as well as country’s profiles documenting each area’s most common imports and exports.
The ICCO, based in Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa exporting country, maintains detailed reports on the state of cocoa production throughout the world and in a list of select countries, including Nigeria.
Nearly half of all Cocoa in Nigeria is exported to the Netherlands (45%). Germany and Malaysia are ranked second and third in cocoa imports from Nigeria, importing 22% and 6.2% of Nigeria’s cocoa output, respectively. Other top importers of Nigerian cocoa include Spain, Italy, Belgium-Luxembourg, and China. Nigerian cocoa and cocoa beans are usually exported in raw or unprocessed form to chocolate processing plants in these countries. The cocoa is typically exported to confectionary companies to make chocolate bars and other chocolate products, such as candy, cakes, and chocolate beverages.
Though cocoa production and exports have increased in Nigeria in recent years, many argue that this increase in price is due to the devaluation of the Nigerian Naira. In September 2018, One Nigerian Naira was worth just $.0028 US dollars. Presently now, a tonne of cocoa sells for anything between N700, 000 – N750, 000 depending on the location of purchase as at June 2021. The Nigerian cocoa trade has been subject to extremely volatile pricing, and when prices are unpredictable, it’s local farmers that bear the burden of the ebbs and flows of the local economy. Indeed, international organizations have called on large cocoa processors and manufacturers that buy the unprocessed cocoa at a low rate to aid and maintain stability by providing support and training for programs that will stabilize the African cocoa economy.
There are a variety of ways that cocoa is exported from Nigeria. In some cases, one or even two middlemen are involved between the Nigerian farmers and cocoa exporters. The Nigerian trade begins with farmers working to harvest cocoa beans from the local crop. The following are ways in which cocoa beans are exported from Nigeria:
Small buyers visit individual clients (farms) to purchase a share of the cocoa crop. In this method, small buyers may sell the crop directly to exporters, but more commonly the small buyers sell the cocoa to wholesale buyers who make the final sell to exporters.
Farmer co-ops combine cocoa from several farms to sell to different agencies. The co-op purchases cocoa directly from farmers, and in some cases, sells it to exporters directly. In other cases, the co-op may also export the product directly.
The largest cocoa producing state in Nigeria is Ondo. Other leading cocoa producing states include Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Osun. Together these states along with Ondo are responsible for 60% of the cocoa production in Nigeria. These regions are located in the southern part of Nigeria which produces ideal conditions for growing cocoa. The ideal location for growing cocoa around the world is within 20 degrees in either direction of the equator.
Before you engage in the cocoa trade in Nigeria, it’s important to consider how to overcome common challenges affecting the cocoa trade and cocoa exporters in Africa. These concerns include everything from adequate production to transportation. Educating yourself on these issues may not eliminate the concern, but can help you determine a plan of action before engaging in trade.
More than 30,000 tons of cocoa were found delayed in transit in the capital city of Lagos while en route to ports for export. Specifically, traffic, craters, and floods are to blame for the delay. This delay put strain on local businesses and some even sought loans to cover expenses while waiting for exports to be shipped and paid by buyers.
For many years, Nigeria ranked fourth behind Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Indonesia in cocoa production, but a recent drop in production has lowered Nigeria’s position in the cocoa production chain to fifth, tied with Cameroon. Lack of support for farmers, including access to cocoa seedlings, price risk management, and pest control training are just a few factors that have led to a decrease in cocoa production. Many small farms harvest most cocoa in Nigeria throughout the southern region.
Several news reports outline both the lack of younger farmers and the lack of interest of younger farmers in cocoa farming. This lack of interest has led to a decrease in the number of cocoa farmers. While there have been calls to stimulate the cocoa economy, the Nigerian cocoa production efforts faces significant challenges to its growth if enough young farmers don’t participate in the cocoa trade.
If you are considering exporting cocoa from Nigeria, it’s wise to join an association to stay abreast of developments, new regulations, and training opportunities. The following associations have supported the cocoa trade in Africa through producing research and statistics, reports and materials, and training programs; Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and Association of Nigerian Exporters.
Ways to Cap is a B2B trading platform for importers and exporters in the African market. Nigerian cocoa exporters can find foreign buyers and find partners for their business by listing their cocoa products on the Ways to Cap platform. Ways to Cap offers businesses involved in international trade, the opportunity to buy and sell with other trustworthy businesses. The platform helps exporters research and set pricing and find new global markets to increase their sales and revenue.
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