We are the best exporter of
Shea Nuts in Nigeria
Shea nuts are obtained from the Shea tree that is indigenous
to many parts of Africa. The Shea nut is the seed of the fruit of the Shea tree.
The fruit portion is typically removed to retrieve the hard-shelled nut.
Shea nut is a very oil-rich seed.
Nigeria is a major player in the global shea nut market,
contributing about 45% of the world's total production. Shea nut farming is predominantly
carried out in the northern regions of Nigeria, with Niger State being the largest producer.
Any nation that requires economic development must
look inwards to identify areas where it has comparative advantage over
other nations and seek to develop the identified areas.
Apart from hydrocarbon, Nigeria has comparative in the Agricultural sector
where a variety of products are produced due to the favorable climatic condition,
good soil condition and the fact that over 70% of the entire land mass of the country is arable.
Nigeria has comparative advantage in the production and export of
Shea nut in Africa over her counterparts due to the large arable land available
for production and the conducive climatic condition.
Though a leading Shea nut and butter exporter in the world,
Nigeria is yet to take advantage of the vast opportunity that exists in the export
and value addition of Shea nut and butter.
Incentives are offered for better quality nuts through premium
that are paid to exporters and since most of the Shea tree in Nigeria are in bushes
and forest which is not subjected to herbicides and fertilizers,
Nigeria’s Shea is one of the best in the world and qualify for organic certification.
The return on investment on the export of Shea nut is estimated between 10%- 15% while for Shea butter it is between 15%-25%.