APM Terminals Apapa has collaborated with the Oyo State administration and commodity importers and exporters to explore methods for boosting agricultural produce shipping via the Apapa-Moniya rail route.

The APM Terminals team, led by Terminal Manager Steen Knudsen, travelled by rail from Ebute-Metta to Moniya to examine the terminal’s capacity and meet with stakeholders, including Tilewa Folami, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Government and Director of IITA.

However, discussions centred on improving the flow of perishable items and creating a more efficient supply chain.

Knudsen pointed out that the Apapa-Moniya train line is intended to connect Nigeria’s food-producing regions to global markets while providing a dependable and cost-effective transportation infrastructure. The program plans to improve Nigerian farmers’ and agribusinesses’ competitiveness in international trade by lowering transit times and losses.

Denmark’s Consul General, Trade Counsellor Jette Bjerrum, and Commercial Trade Advisor to the Danish Consulate, Victoria Epelle, also participated in the discussion, emphasising Denmark’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain through trade partnerships and cold chain infrastructure.

Folami reaffirmed Oyo State’s commitment to food production and agriculture, emphasising the importance of efficient transportation networks to help farmers and traders.

He emphasised that the Apapa-Moniya rail route would be essential in decreasing post-harvest losses, improving logistics for bulk exports, and promoting Oyo as an agriculture centre.

He asked APM Terminals to offer regular train service updates and consider opening a local office in Moniya to improve coordination with stakeholders. 

Source: AgroNigeria