Nigeria's Cocoa Exports Surge 606% as EUDR Compliance Efforts Kick Off
Nigeria's cocoa industry has seen a remarkable surge, with exports skyrocketing by 606 percent in the last quarter of 2024. This growth has sparked a collaborative effort led by the Office of the Vice-President and the European Union to ensure the country meets the EU's deforestation-free regulation (EUDR) by December 2025. The roundtable, attended by Zissimos Vergos, Chargé d'Affaires of the European Union Delegation in Nigeria, discussed strategies to maintain this growth while protecting Nigeria's forests.
Nigeria's cocoa exports now account for 29 percent of agricultural exports and 5.6 percent of total non-oil exports, reaching N1.2 trillion from N171 billion. To sustain this growth and meet EUDR standards, stakeholders have pledged to accelerate efforts. The EUDR compliance aligns with Nigeria's climate goals, opening opportunities for traceability innovations, climate-smart farming, and local processing.
The roundtable explored financing options, institutional coordination, and technology-driven solutions. It was agreed that clearly demarcating protected areas is crucial to prevent farming in restricted zones and address challenges in cocoa production. The goal is to safeguard Nigeria's cocoa exports and strengthen sustainable agricultural practices, given that the EU accounts for over 60 percent of Nigeria's cocoa exports.
Nigeria has the capacity to meet the EU's standards, with many exporters already compliant. The National Cocoa Board aims to reposition Nigeria as a global competitor in the cocoa sector. By December 2025, Nigeria seeks to ensure its cocoa remains competitive in global markets and protects its forests, making EUDR compliance an economic, environmental, and developmental imperative.
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