Nigerian horticultural stakeholders urge the federal government to boost domestic production and supply networks to access the lucrative €43 billion EU market for edible vegetables, floriculture, and grapes.

The request was made during the EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform’s webinar, “Market Insights: Opportunities in the EU Edible Vegetables, Floriculture, and Grapes Import Markets.”

Horticulture scientists, professors, government officials, and members of Nigerian and European farmers’ associations attended the high-level gathering.

Mr Bonaventure Mwaghania, CEO of Cenacle Kenya Limited, cited Kenya’s remarkable success in the horticulture sector—which employs over two million people and generates nearly one billion dollars in exports to the EU—and advised Nigeria to take advantage of its geographic proximity to European markets and favourable sea freight rates.

Frank Okafor, representing the EU team in Nigeria, emphasised the EU’s commitment to improving trade relations. In contrast, Aliyu Sheriff, Special Assistant to the President, stressed the need to align Nigerian output with international standards to access high-value markets. 

However, the Dutch government’s assistance through the HortiNigeria project was also cited as critical in strengthening Nigerian farmers.

Stakeholders hope to reform Nigeria’s horticulture sector by campaigning for increased local production and improved supply chains. This will allow the country to effectively compete in the increasingly global market and generate long-term economic development.

Source: AgroNigeria