Nigeria’s Sesame could contribute US $1.5 billion to the country’s agriculture exports. This is according to Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN).
The review follows agriculture exports of N127 billion in Q1 2021 out of which Sesame topped the list of exported agriculture. The association said that the numbers can increase if maximized and also called for the support of the state government and collaboration of the private and organised sectors with FACAN in boosting agriculture exports in Nigeria.
Global demand
Chairman of FACAN, Edo chapter, Mr Enahoro Ojiefoh, revealed that sesame topped the list of agro-export commodities, with an estimated export value of N41.9 billion, while cashew nuts, both in-shell and shelled, were valued at N13.7 billion, and added that Sesame was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to earn major FX and export revenue, forecasting export revenues of US $1.5 billion.
“Sesame seeds come from a flowering plant, mostly grown in Northern Nigeria due to the drought-resistant nature of the seed. Aside the fact that it has numerous health and industrial benefits and is widely used for baking, medicine, cosmetics and animal feeds, it also has high oil content of about 44% to 60%,” Ojiefoh said.
“Reports have it that the global demand for the commodity is expected to grow at 4.2% compound annual growth rate between 2018 and 2024. Nigeria is expected to key into this, considering its land mass and the fact that the sesame is drought-resistant and requires minimal fertiliser, which makes it cheaper to cultivate than other crops,” he added.
