Nigeria is a major mango producing country in the world where many countries with less endowment, are earn huge foreign exchange. FRIDAY AGBOSEINA writes on the passive attention this enjoys in the country.
It is interesting to know that mango fruit is the key holding ther economy of some countries in the global trade arena where it accounts for over fi ve billion dollars annually according to market report by the International Trade Centre in Geneva in Switzerland. It is estimated that over 40 million tonnes of mangoes are produced worldwide every year.
Nigeria is blessed as the 8th major producer of the fruit in the world but unfortunately, the country earns absolutely little in export revenue. Among the major mango producing states in the country are Benue, Jigawa, Plateau, Yobe, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Taraba and Federal Capital Territory. Beside markets across the Atlantic, there is a huge domestic demand for mango derivatives in food and drugs such as jam, jellies, ice cream, energy drinks, marmalade, fl avours, syrup and juice.
Th e Nigeria mango market is mainly on street trade for household consumption. However, the commercial market of international trading is presently done by Sebore Farms owned by the former Governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako alias Baba Mai Mango (BMM). It was an investment that predated his administration in the state. Th e farm was established in the 1990’s. It was asserted by Murtala Nyako that the mango section of Sebore Farms could generate about fi ve billion naira revenue annually. Th e farm is said to have over 50,000 mango trees, with capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes of mangoes annually, which represents 200 kgs of mango per tree. It is generally asserted that mango is an African crop as it is grown in many countries in the continent. Th ough many African countries are producers of mango but the continental market can be boosted through inter-regional value chain to lead the global market as Africa major exporters, are Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Gambia, and Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Bukina Fasco, Guinea and Mali are known to dominate mango export to Europe with Ivory Coast as the principal player. Trade experts believe that the world demand for mangoes will continue to rise particularly in notable consuming countries like USA, Canada, EU and Asian countries such as China even though it is the second largest producers with 4.45 million metric tonnes per annum. Th e continuous increase in the demand for mango makes the commodity a future market for agricultural investors. Presently, about 49% of total world imports are made by US, Netherlands and China. On the contrary, India the number one producing country in the world supplies over 20 metric tons, representing almost 50% of global mango supply. Th e export market is led by Mexico with India and Peru following behind in giving the world mango fruits. As the world consciously moves towards food security, agro-investors and famers in Nigeria should begin to look at opportunities in every crop that the country is endowed with and which is in demand in the world market. Certainly, Nigeria has exotic varieties of mango that could hit the international market with good returns on investment. However, the task is to encourage mango growers with the right capacity. For instance, the product is perishable and will need special cold storage facilities among other infrastructure. Th ere should be appropriate policy enablement for stimulating mango trade to meet international market standard in quality control, packaging and other technical requirement. Top 10 mango importers • United States of America • Netherlands • China • Germany • United Kingdom • Canada • France • Japan • Hong Kong • Spain Africa Countries in World Mango Trade In 2016 • Côte d’Ivoire: $ 6 1 . 3 million • Egypt: $ 5 3 . 9 million • Ghana: $ 3 5 . 2 million • Mali: $ 1 6 . 4 million • Burkina Faso: $ 1 4 . 2 million • Senegal: $10.2 million • South Africa: $ 9 . 7 million • Kenya: $ 7 . 2 million • Tanzania: $1.8 million • Uganda: $1.4 million
