Nigeria has emerged as the undisputed king of shea nuts, claiming the top spot as the world’s biggest producer of the versatile nut. According to the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, the country now rakes in a staggering 400,000 tons of shea nuts annually, accounting for a whopping 53% of global production. This impressive figure surpasses traditional leaders like Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
The news was unveiled during the launch of the “Shea Nigeria” brand in Abuja. Highlighting the significance of shea, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of the Council, emphasized its dual role – a vital ingredient in both the local and international food and cosmetics industries.
Ayeni pledged the Council’s unwavering support to stakeholders within the shea sector. This includes capacity-building initiatives for producers and processors, ensuring their products meet the stringent standards demanded by the export market.
The “Shea Nigeria” project, a collaborative effort spanning four years, is spearheaded by the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council. This strategic plan aims to transform Nigeria’s shea sector, empowering it to produce high-value and sustainable shea products that can conquer the European Union and regional markets.
However, the road to shea nut dominance hasn’t been without its bumps. Dr. Ayeni acknowledged challenges within the shea value chain, including pre and post-harvest handling issues, supply constraints, inconsistent quality, negative perceptions, and a heavy reliance on low-value exports. She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to overcome these obstacles and unlock the sector’s full potential.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Patrick Guorka, Senior Program Manager at CBI, reaffirmed the collaboration’s commitment to boosting the shea market project. A key focus is on improving the livelihoods of those who drive the sector, particularly women who make up the majority of the workforce.
This message resonated with Mrs. Mobola Segoe, President of the Shea Women Association of Nigeria. She championed the importance of unity within the sector and urged stakeholders to prioritize training for rural women. Empowering these women, she believes, is the key to enhancing the shea value chain and maximizing the industry’s potential.
