Nigeria exports 1, 983 containers of hibiscus to Mexico

Nigeria exports 1, 983 containers of hibiscus to Mexico 

After the drive for high non-oil exports, the country exported 1, 983 containers of hibiscus flower (Zobo) to Mexico alone, which generated $35 million within a short time in 2017.

The Coordinating Director, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, disclosed this information, where he said farmers and other investors were yet to tap into this ‘goldmine’ of hibiscus business in the country due to high demand from Europe, Asia and America. According to him farmers of hibiscus in Jigawa are the largest producers of the commodity thereby making them the highest exporter of the commodity. 

He said: “Hibiscus generated $35 million in nine months”. “In 2016, the country generated more than $20 million, and that is just one commodity. In the last one year we have done what we call Export Improvement Initiative (EII), for so many commodities. That means we are bringing those commodities that were lying low to ensure that they are properly positioned for export. “Mexico and other countries importing our hibiscus (zobo) use it as organic colouring agents for drinks and wines, and as natural blended drink as we drink zobo here in Nigeria, the pharmaceuticals also use it for colouring because is organic. “In 2016 it generated $20 million, while in 2017 it generated $35 million within nine months.

 The hibiscus was exported to Mexico and other countries in Europe like Germany, Greece, Latvia, and countries of former USSR. “The major producing State is Jigawa others are Kastina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno and Yobe. He urged zobo farmers to properly organize and position themselves for increased volume of production and export, which will create more jobs and attract more interventions from government and development partners, to further increase volume and investment in hibiscus (zobo) cultivation”. 

They will also benefit from government and donor interventions in capacity building and technical assistance”, he said. According to him the agency will ensure my co-toxin challenge on agricultural commodities are tackled, therefore efforts are made to ensure this was achieved as they have collaborated with other relevant ministries and agencies to come up with reports to chart a new way to eradicate it. It will help guide policy makers to decide on what to do next and open the economy to a lot of opportunities in research, development, public health disease prevention and the general well being of the nation. 

Culled from the Vanguard Newspaper