The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) revealed that in 2023, Nigeria exported over 17,000 metric tons of Shea products valued at N20 billion ($14.5 million).
During the Shea Nigeria Brand Launch in Abuja, the council’s Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this information yesterday. She highlighted Nigeria’s position as the world’s largest producer of Shea nuts, accounting for 53% of the total output, ahead of Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Shea is in high demand locally and internationally, particularly in the food and cosmetics industries.
Ayeni emphasized the significant increase in Shea exports compared to 2022. In 2023, Nigeria exported 17,302.55 tonnes of Shea valued at $14,591,419.56, compared to 8,229.91 tonnes exported in 2022, valued at approximately $3,102,326.94.
She further noted that the partnership between the CBI and the NEPC in implementing the four-year (2022-2025) Shea Nigeria Project would result in substantial foreign exchange earnings for the country.
Judith Arends, the Managing Director of the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), highlighted that Shea exports from Nigeria would enhance global Shea marketing, underscoring the importance of maximizing the market potential.
Abba Bello, the MD/CEO of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), stated that the bank had invested N5 billion to establish major processing plants for Shea.
