Council says Nigeria’s non-oil exports account for just 10% of $21.87bn trade with the European Union, highlighting huge growth potential for agri-food products…..
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has called on Nigerian agro-exporters to take advantage of the European Union’s vast consumer market of more than 400 million people, noting that the country’s non-oil exports still represent only a small share of trade with the bloc.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Nonye Ayeni, made the call during the 8th edition of the NEPC webinar series themed “EU Regulations for Importation of Nigeria’s Agri-food Products.”
Ayeni said that despite the strong trade relationship between Nigeria and the European Union, non-oil exports currently account for only about 10 percent of Nigeria’s total exports to the EU, even though overall trade between both partners reached $21.87 billion in 2024.
Untapped export opportunity
According to her, the figures highlight a significant opportunity for Nigeria to expand its non-oil export footprint in the European market.
“Available statistics show that Nigeria’s total export to the EU in 2024 stood at $21.87 billion, while EU exports to Nigeria were valued at $20.2 billion,” she said.
“However, non-oil exports represent just 10 percent of Nigeria’s total export to the EU, which indicates a major opportunity for us to grow our market share in that market.”
Ayeni explained that the EU remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic trading partners, accounting for about 26 percent of the country’s total trade.
Key Nigerian exports to Europe
Nigeria currently exports a variety of commodities to the European market, including:
- Cocoa and cocoa products
- Oilseeds
- Agricultural produce
- Fish and seafood
- Rubber
- Leather
- Wood and timber products
However, Ayeni stressed that the country could earn significantly higher revenue by expanding exports of processed and value-added agricultural products.
She pointed to products such as cocoa, sesame, hibiscus, ginger and spices as commodities with strong demand in European markets.
Global trade shifting toward standards
The NEPC boss also noted that global trade dynamics are changing rapidly, with quality standards, traceability requirements, and sustainability regulations now playing a greater role than price alone.
“As you are aware, global trade today is no longer driven by price and availability alone,” Ayeni said.
“It is increasingly governed by standards, regulations, traceability requirements and sustainable principles.”
She urged Nigerian exporters to familiarise themselves with the regulatory framework governing imports into the EU to improve their competitiveness.
Value addition key to higher earnings
Ayeni further emphasised the importance of value addition in Nigeria’s agricultural export chain.
According to her, exporting processed or semi-processed products rather than raw commodities allows Nigeria to command premium prices in international markets.
Beyond higher export earnings, she said value addition could also help drive industrialisation, job creation, and poverty reduction, while supporting the country’s broader economic diversification agenda.
“Nigeria is abundantly blessed with agricultural resources and a wide range of exportable agri-food products,” she said.
“When value is added to these commodities instead of exporting them raw, we are able to earn premium prices in global markets, create jobs locally, stimulate domestic industrialisation and contribute meaningfully to national economic diversification.”
The NEPC webinar series is part of the council’s broader effort to educate exporters on international market requirements and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global non-oil trade.
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