The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over the low profits Nigeria earns from its onion trade, despite being one of the largest producers of the crop in Africa. Producing nearly two million tons of onions annually, the country struggles to maximize its potential due to the high percentage of raw onion sales and a lack of value addition.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe to discuss the development of an onion export strategy, NEPC’s Executive Director, Ms. Nonye Ayeni, highlighted that Nigeria’s onion sector remains underdeveloped. Represented by Mustapha Umar Faruk, Ayeni emphasized that while multiple states across the North East, North West, and North Central regions are engaged in onion farming, the nation fails to capitalize on the production of value-added products such as onion paste, flakes, powder, and oil. This, according to Ayeni, significantly reduces the country’s export earnings.
Ms. Ayeni pointed out that 99.9% of Nigerian onions are traded in their raw form, which limits profitability. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive Onion Export Strategy to address bottlenecks in production and exports, aiming to increase Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
Participants at the event, including farmers, processors, and industry representatives, agreed on the importance of improving seed quality, storage practices, and processing capabilities to enhance export outcomes. The initiative is part of NEPC’s “Double Your Export” campaign, which seeks to revitalize Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
With strategic partnerships, investments, and enhanced processing, Nigeria’s onion trade could evolve into a significant contributor to the national economy, Ayeni noted. The meeting concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work towards realizing the full potential of the onion value chain.
