info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Image from Resilient Springfield
In Nigeria, the export markets for flowers, fruits and vegetables are not yet fully mature. Nigeria currently has only one flower for export-Hibiscus. The natural flower tea obtained after collection, dehydration and drying is called Zobo in Nigeria. Dried hibiscus flowers can also be processed into cold and hot herbal drinks, jellies and candies.
By 2016, the total world exports of hibiscus averaged around R25.54 billion, while imports averaged around R24.19 billion. In the period under review, USA, Germany and Japan emerged the top three importers of Hibiscus respectively, with a total market share of 30.8 per cent. On the other hand, China, India and Germany respectively are top exporters of hibiscus in the world with a total market share of 50.4 per cent.
In Africa, Egypt is the leading exporter of hibiscus with Morocco coming second and Nigeria occupying a third place. Hibiscus export is a relatively new market for Nigeria, with Mexico, emerging its prominent destination. A huge foreign exchange earner, Nigeria in 2017, earned $35 million in nine months, from exporting a shipment of 1,983 containers of hibiscus to Mexico.
The fruit and vegetables market have not fared any better. According to official statistics, Nigeria in 2013, exported goods were worth $46.32 billion, of which a paltry $3.83 billion was contributed by vegetables and fruits, to Europe and America.Executive Secretary, AFPGEAN, Akin Sawyerr, blamed the dearth of the adequate preservation facilities for the loss. In order to preserve their lifespan, fresh produce require refrigerated conditions soon after harvest but in Nigeria, very little is done in the way of processing fresh produce.
Nigeria is the eight producer of mangoes in the world, but is nowhere ranked among the top 20 exporters. Rather Nigeria is best in the African continent by smaller West African neighbours, such as Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Gambia. Meanwhile trade experts project a continued rise in the world demand for mangoes especially in top importing nations like the USA, Canada, EU and China.
