Nigeria partners with Kenya to grow avocado sector

Nigeria is working with Kenya to enter the global avocado market, which RaboResearch estimates is already worth more than US$20 billion. The sector is projected to grow to US$23.29 billion by 2029 and US$26.71 billion in 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.76 percent. Current export markets include the European Union, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

Ambassador Adeniyi Sola-Bunmi, President of the Avocado Society of Nigeria (ASN), told The Nation that the partnership with Kenya aims to empower farmers and develop Nigeria’s avocado sector, which is currently focused on local consumption. “The good news is that Nigeria is now recognized as an avocado-producing country, although at the very bottom level, based on the effort of the Chief Executive of the Avocado Society of Nigeria. We are working on introducing quality seedlings for Nigeria’s market. We now have almost 30 to 35 hectares for avocado production in Nigeria. The society is working to expand production in partnership with universities. We are aggregating farmers under the umbrella of the society. Farmers who can grow five trees, three trees, and four trees, which is also the Kenya model. The Kenya model encouraged farmers to start small. It works for Kenya. It can also work here. If adopted, it will be transformational.”

Kenya has established itself as Africa’s leading exporter and the world’s sixth-largest producer, reaching 417,000 metric tons in 2021, double its output of five years earlier. Nigeria’s production is limited, with most growers farming less than two hectares. Sola-Bunmi noted that one of the barriers to investment in Nigeria is the perception that avocados take too long to mature.

ASN and its Kenyan partners are introducing Hass avocado seedlings, which can produce fruit in three years in Nigeria’s tropical climate. Sola-Bunmi projected that Hass could generate more than 12 billion naira (US$7.9 million) annually. ASN members are already beginning to cultivate the variety due to its higher yield and market price.

The association is also establishing commercial Hass farms in states including Imo, Ogun, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross Rivers, and Oyo. A demonstration farm has been set up in Ogun State with an international nursery center in Abeokuta to produce seedlings and plants that meet export protocols. These include measures such as fumigation and cold treatment to meet international phytosanitary requirements.

Sola-Bunmi said the recent 5th International Africa Avocado Congress in Nairobi provided a platform for ASN to share knowledge and strengthen cooperation with Kenya, which he described as setting the stage for Nigeria’s entry into the global avocado trade.

Source: The Nation