The Executive Director of Africa Supply Center, Dr. Obiola Madu, stressed the need for Nigeria to increase exports of fresh and dried bananas and plantains. Despite the estimated value of the global banana market this year at $140.84 billion and expected to increase to $146.56 billion by 2029, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Nigeria’s market share in the United Kingdom last year exports were only $45,000. Global banana production will reach approximately 135 million tons in 2022, highlighting the potential for export expansion.
Dr. Madu criticized the underwhelming export performance of Nigeria’s banana and plantain sector, especially when compared to countries like Cameroon. In contrast, Cameroon saw a 15% increase in banana exports to 16,105 tonnes in August this year, with the UK a key market. G7 countries will import bananas worth CFA 42.9 billion from Cameroon in 2023, demonstrating the sector’s significant economic impact.
Challenges such as quality issues and inefficient cold chains have been identified as major obstacles to Nigeria’s competitiveness in the fresh produce market. Dr. Madu advocated for quality and infrastructure improvements to increase the competitiveness of Nigerian bananas in the international arena. Additionally, Dr. Victor Iyama, President of the Nigerian Federation of Agricultural Products Associations, said: “Strengthening institutional capacity to increase production for export, address challenges faced by farmers and research and development for sustainable industry growth” He emphasized the importance of utilizing it.
Angola is Africa’s largest banana producer and ranks seventh in the world with annual production of 4.4 million tons. The 4th global conference of the World Banana Forum discussed critical challenges for banana growers, including climate change, high costs and the spread of Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4). FAO Director-General QU Dongyu highlighted the importance of bananas in food security, income generation and job creation in developing countries, particularly benefiting smallholder farmers.
Source: The Nation
Publication date: October 7, 2024 (Monday)
