Nigeria’s agricultural export sector suffered a devastating blow in the first quarter of 2026, recording a 31.2 per cent sharp decline in total export volumes as international buyers increasingly rejected Nigerian farm produce.
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in April 2026 highlights a severe setback for the country’s economic diversification efforts. Foreign agricultural markets, particularly across the European Union, the United States, and Asia have turned back shipments of key commodities, including cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and dried yams.
A report by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) identified several systemic bottlenecks driving the sudden drop. Cargoes remained trapped for weeks at the Apapa and Tincan Island ports in Lagos, causing perishable goods to deteriorate before departure.
The case of excessive pesticide application during farming and reliance on outdated chemical preservatives during storage triggered stringent import bans abroad.
The exporters routinely failed to obtain mandatory phytosanitary certifications required by international food safety standards.
Dr. Adebayo Thomas, President of the Association of Nigerian Agricultural Exporters (ANAE), voiced grave concern during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, calling the situation an avoidably self-inflicted crisis.
”Our members are losing billions of Naira weekly,” Dr. Thomas warned. “Overseas buyers are cancelling contracts because our supply chain lacks standardized quality control. When produce sits at the port for a month after being treated with forbidden preservatives, foreign regulators have no choice but to reject it.”
In response to the crisis, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced emergency measures in Abuja to overhaul inspection protocols at exit ports and enforce strict compliance with international phytosanitary guidelines. Without immediate reform, industry experts warn that Nigeria risks losing its competitive edge in the global agricultural market for the remainder of 2026.
