The Nigeria Export Promotion Council has revealed that Nigeria produces approximately 400,000 tons of Shea nuts, making it the world’s largest producer, accounting for 53% of the total output globally, surpassing Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
During the unveiling and launch of the Shea-Nigeria brand in Abuja, the Executive Director of the Council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, emphasized the significance of Shea as a crop highly demanded by both the food and cosmetics industries locally and internationally.
Mrs Ayeni affirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to support stakeholders in the Shea sector through capacity-building initiatives for producers and processors to ensure compliance with export standards.
The Shea Nigeria project, a 4-year strategic plan facilitated by the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, aims to transform the Nigeria Shea Sector to produce high-value and sustainable Shea products for the European Union and regional markets.
Addressing challenges in the Shea value chain, including pre and post-harvest handling, supply constraints, quality inconsistency, negative image, and low-value exports, Dr. Ayeni highlighted the need for concerted efforts to overcome these obstacles.
The Senior Program Manager at the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries, Mr Patrick Guorka, underscored the collaboration’s goal to enhance the Shea market project and improve the livelihoods of operators, particularly women, who are predominant in the sector.
Mrs. Mobola Segoe, a Leader Expert and President of the Shea Women Association of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of unity in the Shea sector and urged relevant stakeholders to prioritize the training of rural women to enhance the value chain and maximize the sector’s potential.