News in brief:
– Nigeria loses ₦50 million daily to pineapple imports due to low domestic production and quality issues.
– Challenges include outdated farming practices and a lack of processing facilities, hindering Nigeria’s export potential.
Nigeria, despite being the eighth-largest pineapple producer globally, is losing ₦50 million daily due to the importation of pineapples from Ghana and Togo, according to Ambassador Oluwasegun Alabi, a seasoned agriculturist.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria produces an estimated 1,607,200 metric tons of pineapples annually, compared to Ghana’s 678,079 metric tons and Togo’s 472,514 metric tons. Despite this, Nigeria still imports pineapples from these countries because its production meets only 50% of domestic demand.
Pineapple is the fifth most consumed fruit globally, with demand consistently exceeding domestic supply in several cases. The fruit are not just valued for their taste and health benefits but also for their versatility in producing items like clothing, shoes, bags, disposable plates, spoons, and biofuel. This versatility has driven up global demand, presenting an opportunity that Nigeria is currently missing.
The country’s failure to capitalise on its pineapple production is linked to several challenges:
- Substandard Farming Practices: Many Nigerian farmers do not follow standard agricultural practices, leading to low-quality produce unsuitable for export or industrial use.
- Lack of Processing Facilities: The absence of proper processing facilities means that Nigeria cannot produce value-added products like canned pineapples or pineapple juice concentrate, which are highly sought after in the global market.
- Outdated Farming Techniques: Inconsistent quality due to outdated farming methods hinders Nigeria’s ability to meet international standards. This problem is exacerbated by the lack of access to modern resources and infrastructure.
Ambassador Alabi stressed the need for government intervention to create an enabling environment for business growth in the agricultural sector. Engaging the right individuals and organisations with deep industry knowledge is crucial for addressing these challenges and securing Nigeria’s position in the global pineapple market.
