Nigeria, 8th in pineapple production, imports from Togo, Ghana, loses N50m daily

Nigeria loses a whopping N50 million daily to the importation of pineapples despite producing about 1,607,200 metric tons per annum, placing the country as the eighth largest producer of the crop in the world, an Agriculturist, Amb. Oluwasegun Alabi has said.

Addressing a news conference at the National Assembly on Monday, August 26, Alabi said that despite its comparative advantage, the country was importing pineapple from Ghana and Togo ranked as the 13th and 16th producer of pineapple in the world by the Food and Agricultural Organisation.

He said Nigeria was only able to meet 50 per cent of its pineapple needs annually, adding that despite the high demand for Pineapple from Asian countries, Nigeria has not been able to produce enough to meet the growing international demand.

He said further that the pineapple being cultivated in Nigeria does not meet the required standard for industrial use because the farmers failed to comply with good agricultural practices resulting in subpar fruit quality which makes them unsuitable for export and industrial use.

Alabi, the CEO of Davidorlah Farms, stressed that pineapples are the fifth most consumed fruit in the world and have a unique position in the global market as a luxury item.

Despite the increasing global demand, Nigeria’s agricultural sector has yet to capitalise on this opportunity due to outdated farming techniques, a lack of modern resources, and insufficient infrastructure.

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He said further that without proper processing facilities to package pineapples, Nigerians cannot export value-added products such as canned pineapples and pineapple concentrated juice thereby leaving the country out of the global market.

In addition to its use as food, Alabi underscored the pineapple’s versatility in producing items such as clothing, shoes, bags, disposable plates, and biofuel, alongside its numerous health benefits. He lamented that, despite the country’s vast fertile land and favourable climate, Nigeria has been unable to position itself as a key player in the international pineapple market.

He said: “With vast, fertile land, Nigeria has the potential not only to meet its domestic pineapple demand but also to become a leading global exporter. However, despite favourable climatic conditions, Nigeria has struggled to position itself as a key player in the international pineapple market.

“Instead, the country continues to import pineapples and related products, missing out on potential export revenue and global trade opportunities. Nigeria’s inability to capitalise on its pineapple production can be traced to several key challenges.

“We urge the government to create an enabling environment that fosters business growth and allows the private sector to thrive. To further address the pressing issue of the food security crisis in Nigeria, it is essential for the government to further engage the right people in the agricultural sector- individuals, and organisations with proven track records and a deep understanding of the industry, who can offer informed and strategic advice on how to solve these challenges with urgency”.