The agricultural sector is one of the major economic sector in Nigeria employing two-thirds of the country's labor force. In 2019, the sector's share of the country's GDP was approximately25.2% (N10.50 trillion). Despite being the largest employer of labor, it is estimated that Nigeria lost an estimated annual export opportunity of USD 10billion from groundnut, palm oil, cocoa, and cotton. This implies that Nigeria has a lot of potential for exporting its agricultural products.

Upscaling Nigeria’s agricultural exports through certifications is a crucial step towards increasing the country’s revenue and overall economic growth as it improves Nigeria’s product accessibility to the global market. However, the sector is faced with several challenges, which includes a lack of access to markets, limited access to financing, and poor infrastructure.

One of the ways to overcome these challenges is through certifications. Certifications such as Fair-trade, Organic, and Rainforest Alliance allows Nigeria farmers/producers to access premium and new market frontiers globally thereby increase their potential to earn more income by up to 30%. These certifications also provide assurance to consumers that the products they are purchasing are grown in an environmentally sustainable, safe and socially responsible manner.

Nigeria has continued to suffer limitations in agricultural export system amounting to over USD 10 billion loss(FAO) in revenue that would have been accrued to the country. These limitations are as a results of several factors, one of which is the presence of chemicals such as mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin in some agricultural products, this was the case with beans from Nigeria which was rejected by EU in2013 and 2017 was estimated at  $362.5myearly on the grounds of poor quality such as higher residue levels over the acceptable residue level. Another reason for limitations of agricultural export is the sustainability of supplies after the initial market  agreement has been achieved. Some suppliers are unable to meet up with demands thereby making potential buyers search elsewhere for suppliers of the same commodity - Produce quality control at the farm level and poor agricultural practices, supply consistency based on traceability, quality of produce or yield is also a major limiting trade factor. Another factor is the inadequate funding of the agricultural sector. For instance, Nigeria has failed to reach its investment goal under the CAADP agreement, which was to invest at least 10% of the total yearly budget allotted to the agricultural sector.

Policies and regulations governing the export of food and Agricultural commodities from Nigeria to the EU

Policies and rules governing the export of food and agricultural products from Nigeria to the EU are systematic measures intended at promoting domestic growth and conserving some endangered species. Trade restrictions exist between Nigeria and the EU which includes the ECOWAS Convention Prohibiting Export of Certain Products from Animals of Endangered Species, for instance, Maize, lumber (rough or sawn), raw hides and skin (including We Blue and all unfinished Leather), scrap metal from agricultural machinery, unprocessed rubber latex and rubber lumps, and wildlife animals classified as endangered species and their products, such as Crocodile, Elephant, Lizard, Eagle, Monkey, Zebra, Lion, etc., are prohibited from being exported outside the country and may therefore have an impact on what is exported to the EU.

There are numerous standards (standard requirements) or hurdles that must be cleared on certain items before being accepted into the EU market. For instance, before getting license to export into the EU market for consumption, fish and fishery products must pass about10 examinations which includes: veterinary inspection, hygiene inspection, microbiological testing, chemical testing, radioactivity testing, temperature control, documentation verification, labeling inspection, physical inspection, the storage and transport inspection. This is also similar for fruits and vegetables; any firm importing into or exporting to the EU market must adhere to the criterion for market access. For the export of nuts and seeds, regulatory clearance is needed for mycotoxins, microbiological contaminations, foreign bodies, radiation, and undetermined/other hazards. The regulatory standards for herbs and spices are based on the presence of microbiological contaminants, mycotoxins, pesticide residue percentage, foreign materials or bodies, and unapproved food additives. 

Pathways to Exporting from Nigeria to EU:

Standards Organization of Nigeria

In accordance with Act No. 56 of 1971, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) was created in 1971 and is the official authority for setting benchmarks and guaranteeing compliance for items intended for free market circulation in Nigeria. Nigerian Standards are also known as Nigerian Industrial Standards, and SON is in charge of creating them in collaboration with the relevant Competent authorities. The products must go through verification and testing with an Independent Accredited Firm (IAF) in the country of origin before being imported. The exporter must acquire a certificate from SONCAP (Standards Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program). Before being imported, the products must go through testing and verification at an Independent Accredited Firm (IAF) in the country of origin. The exporter must acquire a SONCAP (Standards Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program) Certificate in Nigeria.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF EXPORTABLE GOODS FROM NIGERIA

Soya Beans

Nigeria is the second highest producer (21% of total production) of Soya-Beans in Africa. However, the Country tends to retain most of the produced Soya-Beans and relatively receives less value for its exports($300/MT) thereby contributing only 13% of total African exports. This is compared to Ethiopia ($560/MT) and Togo ($480/MT) who produce less quantity but have higher export yields than Nigeria Stakeholders consulted indicated this may be attributed to the low level of compliance with global Quality and standard requirements in the production of the commodity.

Standards and compliance requirements

ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management)is the expected minimum globally accepted standard for soya bean quality, compliance certificate for this standard is issued by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). The NAQS is also expected to issue phytosanitary certificates for export of Unprocessed soya bean to ensure safety and quality as regards use of pesticides and other chemicals.

SUGAR

In comparison to other top-producing African nations of sugar, Nigeria performs poorly in terms of production and export contribution. This reinforces the necessity for the government to step up the implementation of backward integration projects because there are already large-scale manufacturers in the nation that have the capacity to support higher output.

Standards and compliance requirements

For quality, ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management) is the expected minimum globally accepted standard for all Food products including sugar, compliance certificate for this standard is issued by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

GINGER

Nigeria is the largest ginger producer in Africa, with an estimated annual production of around 369,000 MT, accounting for about 77% of all African production and about 13% of all global production, which are about 447,000 MT and 3,000,000 MT, respectively. Ginger is Cultivated in several states of the federation, however Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, and Gombe are notable producers of ginger.

Despite the crop's potential for production, the FAO reports that due to the use of low-quality seeds and limited technology, the country has not yet fully harnessed the economic benefits of growing ginger. Nigeria faces difficulties entering some global markets because of its inability to achieve (in some instances) Conformity Assessment Standards (CAS), which include Organic and Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP) Certification. Spice demand is rising globally, notably in Asia, according to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) Trends report on herbs and spices. Due to failure of their domestic crop to keep up with domestic demand, China and India, regions that were historically European suppliers, are now the largest importers of spices.

Standards and compliance requirements

For quality, ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management) is the expected minimum globally accepted standard for all Food products including ginger, compliance certificate for this standard is issued by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). The NAQS is also expected to issue phytosanitary certificates for export of raw, unprocessed Ginger to ensure safety and quality as regards use of pesticides and other chemicals.

Regulatory bodies for export of agricultural and agro allied materials from Nigeria

Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development(FMARD)

 The FMARD’s mandate is to guarantee food security in crop, livestock, and fisheries, encourage agricultural employment and services, promote raw material production and supply to agro industries, provide markets for industrial sector products, generate foreign exchange, and support rural socioeconomic development. The ministry also oversees all of the agricultural departments and agencies under the control of the Federal Government of Nigeria (GoN), including the Nigeria Agricultural Plant Quarantine Services (NAQS) and others. FMARD’s  primary role is to work on policies and programs that ensure the competitiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural products to derive the most benefits from the provisions of bilateral, regional, and multilateral institutions agreements, conventions, and treaties without compromising national security is one of its key strengths.

 Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade, and Investments(FMITI)

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (Government Service of Industry, Exchange, and Speculation) of Nigeria is in charge of creating a favorable business environment for the local industry. So, the legal focus of FMITI is to advance interests into the country, propel the growth of the Nigerian economy, improvement, advancement, and execution, and create an environment that is favorable to both domestic and international trade.

 NAFDAC

According to the Government of Nigeria statutes and the related regulations, no food product may be imported, manufactured, advertised, sold, or distributed in Nigeria unless NAFDAC registers and approves of it. NAFDAC’s role is centered around; Licensing of food producing premises, registration of food items and issuance of promoting approval, importation and exportation of food, labelling of food items, advertisement of food items, inspection for Good manufacturing (GMP) and Good handling practice chemicals

 The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is a regulatory body that is responsible for promoting the export of agricultural products from Nigeria. The agency was established in1976 to diversify Nigeria's export base away from oil and gas and to encourage the development of non-oil export industries.

The agency works with farmers, exporters, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to develop and implement policies that support the growth of the industry.

One of the primary roles of the NEPC is to provide information and support to exporters of agricultural products. The agency offers a range of services to exporters, including market research, trade promotion, and export advisory services. These services help exporters to identify new markets, understand market trends and regulations, and develop export strategies that are tailored to their specific needs.

In addition to providing support to exporters, the NEPC is also responsible for the export of agricultural products from Nigeria. The agency works to ensure that all agricultural products meet the quality and safety standards of international markets.

The NEPC also collaborates with other government agencies, such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),to ensure that all agricultural products meet the necessary regulatory requirements for export. This collaboration helps to ensure that Nigeria's agricultural products are of the highest quality and are able to compete in international markets.

To upscale Nigeria’s agricultural exports through certifications, the government and private sector need to take steps to make the certification process more accessible and affordable for farmers. This can be done by providing technical assistance and training, as well as creating more efficient systems for certifying and verifying agricultural products.

Additionally, the government and private sector should work together to create more opportunities for farmers to sell their products in international markets. This can be done by building relationships with international buyers, participating in trade shows and exhibitions, and establishing export promotion programs.

Finally, it is important to note that certifications alone are not the solution to all the challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Other measures, such as investing in infrastructure and providing access to finance, are also necessary to create a conducive environment for the sector to grow.

In conclusion, upscaling Nigeria’s agricultural exports through certifications is a crucial step towards increasing the country’s revenue and overall economic growth. The government and private sector need to work together to make the certification process more accessible and affordable for farmers and create more opportunities for farmers to sell their products in international markets. This will enable farmers to gain access to premium markets, increase their income and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

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