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TradeInt’s latest trade data intelligence reveals a notable shift in Nigeria agricultural export products are accelerating faster than any other non-oil sector, contributing over ₦4.4 trillion in the first 3 months of 2025 alone. Behind this rise are high-performing categories like cocoa, sesame seeds, and fertilizers that continue to strengthen Nigeria’s global footprint.
An overview of Nigeria agricultural export products
What is Nigeria main agricultural export?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria agricultural export database, cocoa and cocoa products were Nigeria’s largest agricultural export between January and March 2025, with total export value reaching US$906.94 million, accounting for 6.70% of Nigeria’s total exports during the period. Nigeria’s agricultural export structure shows a clear concentration at the top, with fertilizer products (urea and ammonia-based) ranking second at US$561.66 million, followed by edible fruits and nuts such as cashew and citrus at US$113.57 million, oil seeds and miscellaneous seeds including sesame and shea at US$106.54 million, and fish and other aquatic products at US$12.18 million. These top five agricultural categories alone generated over US$1.70 billion in export value, with cocoa as the dominant role.
Top 10 Nigeria agricultural export product (Jan-Mar 2025)
- Cocoa & Cocoa Products (HS 18)– Nigeria’s top agricultural export, generating US$906 million, driven by strong global demand for premium-quality cocoa beans and derivatives.
- Fertilizers (HS 31)– Valued at US$562 million, exports surged due to expanded urea and ammonia production capacity, positioning Nigeria as a regional fertilizer hub.
- Edible Fruits & Nuts (HS 08)– Worth US$114 million, driven by rising cashew exports to India and Vietnam, supported by new processing investments.
- Oil Seeds & Misc. Seeds (HS 12)– Reached US$107 million, led by sesame and shea seeds, reflecting steady demand from Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
- Fish & Aquatic Products (HS 03)– With US$12 million in exports, fish and crustaceans continue to serve niche markets in Europe and Africa.
| Rank | HS Code | Category | Export Value (US$) | Share of Total Exports (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Cocoa and Cocoa Products | 906,936,211 | 6.70% |
| 2 | 31 | Fertilizer (Urea and Ammonia-based) | 561,656,820 | 4.15% |
| 3 | 08 | Edible Fruits & Nuts (incl. Cashew, Citrus, Melon Peel) | 113,574,244 | 0.84% |
| 4 | 12 | Oil Seeds & Misc. Seeds (Sesame, Shea, Soybean) | 106,543,378 | 0.79% |
| 5 | 03 | Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusks & Other Aquatic Invertebrates | 12,180,144 | 0.09% |
| 6 | 06 | Living Trees & Other Plants (Floriculture Products) | 11,610,710 | 0.09% |
| 7 | 21 | Miscellaneous Food Preparations | 9,409,389 | 0.07% |
| 8 | 23 | Residues & Waste from the Food Industry; Prepared Animal Feed | 8,304,781 | 0.06% |
| 9 | 15 | Animal & Vegetable Oils, Fats & Waxes (incl. Palm Oil Derivatives) | 3,298,092 | 0.02% |
| 10 | 07 | Edible Vegetables, Roots & Tubers (Yam, Cassava, etc.) | 1,251,984 | 0.01% |
Top 1 - Cocoa & Its products (US$906 million)
Does Nigeria export cocoa?
According to TradeInt’s 2025 Nigeria export data, Nigeria stands among Africa’s top cocoa exporters, following Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Within Nigeria, Starlink Global and Ideal Limited lead the sector with the highest export value, contributing nearly a quarter of the nation’s total cocoa shipments in early 2025.
Cocoa export quantities reached 50.93 million kg in January 2025, before easing to 31.48 million kg in March, showing seasonal adjustments but overall strong export resilience.
Who are the largest top 5 cocoa exporters in Nigeria?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria exporter database for HS 1801 (Cocoa Beans) in 2025, Nigeria’s largest cocoa exporters by export value were led by Starlink Global and Ideal Limited (US$236.50M), followed by Outspan Nig Ltd (US$132.24M), Olatunde International Ltd (US$113.30M), Agro Traders Ltd (US$66.99M), and M Azeezco International Limited (US$66.73M). Combined, these top 5 exporters shipped 403 consignments and generated US$615.77M in cocoa-bean export value, indicating a relatively concentrated export landscape.
Nigeria’s Top Exporters for HS Code 1801 (Cocoa Beans) in Jan-Mar 2025:
- Starlink Global and Ideal Limited– US$236.5M (23.9%): Nigeria’s largest cocoa exporter, driving premium bean exports across Europe and Asia.
- Outspan Nig Ltd– US$132.2M (13.4%): A major exporter known for its extensive farmer network and quality sourcing.
- Olatunde International Ltd– US$113.3M (11.5%): Focused on sustainable cocoa trade and consistent export growth.
- Agro Traders Ltd– US$67.0M (6.8%): Strong mid-tier exporter supporting regional trade links.
- M Azeezco International Ltd– US$66.7M (6.8%): Specialises in processed cocoa products for global markets.
| Rank | Company Name | Shipments | Export Value (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starlink Global and Ideal Limited | 120 | 236,503,259 |
| 2 | Outspan Nig Ltd | 129 | 132,242,437 |
| 3 | Olatunde International Ltd | 74 | 113,301,211 |
| 4 | Agro Traders Ltd | 41 | 66,995,073 |
| 5 | M Azeezco International Limited | 39 | 66,731,285 |
| 6 | Courtyard Farms Ltd | 35 | 51,357,850 |
| 7 | Tulip Cocoa Processing Limited | 14 | 32,426,321 |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Cocoa Beans Top Exporters Trade Data 2025 | 28,016,498 | |
| 9 | 22,450,335 | ||
| 10 | 21,184,973 | ||
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In 2025, cocoa remains at the centre of Nigeria agricultural export products, driving growth, innovation, and policy reform within the country’s non-oil economy. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the cocoa industry while ensuring full compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a move that aligns sustainability with trade competitiveness.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, cocoa exports surged by 606% in the last quarter of 2024, rising from ₦171 billion to ₦1.2 trillion. This impressive performance reflects both strong international demand and the resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which continues to evolve under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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Explore TradeInt nowTop 2 - Fertilizers (US$562 million)
Does Nigeria produce fertiliser?
Yes, TradeInt highlighted that Nigeria produces and exports fertiliser, and its industry has become one of the country’s fastest-growing non-oil sectors. In January 2025, fertiliser exports in this country surged to US$256.04 million, marking a 121.99% month-on-month (MoM) rise, and 26.76% year-on-year (YoY) growth, with top exporting partners being:
Who are the largest Nigerian top 5 fertiliser export destinations in Q1 2025?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria fertiliser export database, Nigeria exported the majority of its fertiliser shipments in Q1 2025 (January–March) to a small group of key overseas markets, with Brazil ranking as the largest destination at US$241.26 million, representing 42.96% of Nigeria’s total fertiliser export value. The United States followed as the second-largest market, importing US$158.22 million ( 28.17% share), while India ranked third with US$101.05 million ( 17.99% share). Rounding out the top five were France (US$11.63 million, 2.07%) and Turkey (US$11.57 million, 2.06%). These top five destinations absorbed approximately US$523.7 million in Nigerian fertiliser exports in Q1 2025, accounting for over 93% of total recorded fertiliser export value.
Top Nigerian Fetiliser Export Destinations from January to March 2025:
- Brazil – US$241.26M (42.96%): Nigeria’s largest buyer, importing for its expanding agricultural sector.
- United States – US$158.21M (28.17%): Major destination for high-quality urea exports from Dangote Fertiliser.
- India – US$101.05M (17.99%): Key trade partner, leveraging Nigerian fertiliser for crop production.
- France – US$11.63M (2.07%): Importing for use in agricultural and industrial applications.
- Turkey – US$11.57M (2.06%): Strengthening fertiliser imports amid growing regional food production demand.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US$) | Quantity (kg) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 241,262,878 | 660,506,000 | 42.96% |
| 2 | United States | 158,215,206 | 402,329,500 | 28.17% |
| 3 | India | 101,046,243 | 279,841,200 | 17.99% |
| 4 | France | 11,631,412 | 32,110,100 | 2.07% |
| 5 | Turkey | 11,573,491 | 31,950,200 | 2.06% |
| 6 | Uruguay | 11,150,292 | 32,096,000 | 1.99% |
| 7 | Romania | 9,900,822 | 30,422,700 | 1.76% |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Fertilizer Export Destination Trade Data 2025 | 8,978,323 | 27,588,100 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Fertilizer Export Destination Trade Data 2025 |
| 9 | 6,653,329 | 16,875,000 | ||
| 10 | 489,236 | 1,221,910 |
Fertilizer has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing Nigeria agricultural export products, driven by rising international demand, domestic innovation, and strategic industrial investment. In the first quarter of 2025, urea exports surged to ₦856 billion (US$595 million), accounting for 4.15% of Nigeria’s total exports, nearly four times higher than the ₦240.6 billion (US$167,4 million) recorded in the same period of 2024.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, this sharp increase reflects both the global demand for fertilizers and the impact of the naira devaluation, which has made Nigerian products more competitive internationally.
At the forefront of this growth is Dangote Fertiliser, which now exports 37% of its urea production to the United States, supported by enhanced port infrastructure and expanding trade partnerships. The company’s broader export portfolio aims to generate $6.5–$7 million daily from fertilizer exports alone within two years, strengthening Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
Similarly, Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited, backed by a $1.25 billion investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is scaling up production and export capacity through new port terminals and energy-efficient systems.
Top 3 - Edible fruits & nuts - (US$114 million)
From TradeInt’s universal trade data, among Nigeria’s HS Code 08 exports, HS 081090 (Other Fruits, Fresh or Dried) dominates by shipment volume, accounting for over 72% of total weight. Meanwhile, HS 081190 and HS 081350 lead in export value, contributing over 70% of total trade earnings, highlighting the growing international demand for Nigeria’s dried tropical fruits and nuts in Asian and European markets.
The top Nigeria edible fruits & nuts exporting countries are:
- HS 081090 – Other Fruits, Fresh or Dried (US$20,096):Dominated by dried pineapples, mangoes, and bananas, this segment accounts for over 72% of total weight, driven by high demand from Asia.
- HS 081400 – Citrus Peels (US$32,743):Exports of dried citrus and melon peels used in food and cosmetics, mainly to European buyers.
- HS 081190 – Frozen Fruits and Nuts (US$70,977):The top-value category, supported by frozen tropical exports to Europe and Asia.
- HS 081350 – Mixed Nuts and Dried Fruits (US$60,684):High-value snack blends shipped to Europe and the Middle East, reflecting Nigeria’s move toward value-added agricultural exports.
| Rank | HS Code | Description | Export Value (US$) | Share (%) | Export Quantity (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 081090 | Other fresh fruit, including a wide range of items not covered by other headings. | 20,096.58 | 10.89% | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria HS 08 Trade Data 2025 |
| 2 | 081400 | Peels of citrus fruit or melons (including watermelons) | 32,743.17 | 17.75% | |
| 3 | 081190 | Frozen fruit and nuts, uncooked or cooked by steaming/boiling, with or without added sweetening | 70,976.97 | 38.47% | |
| 4 | 081350 | Mixtures of nuts or dried fruits of this chapter | 60,684.48 | 32.89% |
Curious how these HS Codes connect to other export categories?
👉🏻 Explore them in seconds with TradeInt’s FREE HS Code Lookup Tool, designed to help businesses and analysts decode trade data efficiently.
Does Nigeria export cashew nuts?
Yes, Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading exporters of cashew nuts, a vital part of its agricultural export products and a consistent foreign exchange earner.
Cashew production is concentrated in states such as Kogi, Enugu, Oyo, and Kwara, where favorable climatic conditions support year-round harvesting. The sector has grown rapidly due to increased processing capacity and rising global demand.
In 2023, cashew exports surged to ₦86.63 billion (US$60.8 million), a 57% increase from the previous year, showing its strong performance among the most exported agricultural products from Nigeria. The establishment of modern processing plants, such as Julius Berger’s cashew factory in Lagos, signals Nigeria’s shift from raw nut exports to value-added processing for international markets.
Cashew nuts are widely used in food, cosmetics, and industrial sectors, serving as a sustainable alternative for chemical and oil-based materials.
What fruits does Nigeria export?
Nigeria exports a growing variety of agricultural export products, particularly tropical fruits like pineapples, mangoes, avocados, and bananas, alongside ginger and garlic. These exports are driven by increasing global demand for natural food products and organic ingredients. Nigeria’s fertile soil and diverse climate make it one of Africa’s top suppliers of tropical produce.
While most exports remain fresh or dried, new investment in cold-chain logistics and processing facilities is enabling Nigeria to reach premium markets in Europe and Asia. Moreover, the country’s growing participation in agro-processing and NAFDAC-certified food exports is helping improve product standards and market access.
Thus, fruit exports are becoming a key driver of Nigeria’s non-oil diversification strategy, strengthening its global trade footprint within the agricultural export products in Nigeria category.
Top 4 - Oil seeds & misc. seeds ( US$107 million)
Nigeria’s seeds and oilseeds export sector continues to expand, driven by major players supplying international markets with high-quality Nigeria agricultural export products, data provided by TradeInt. In 2025, the top exporters under HS Code 12 collectively contributed over US$165 million in export value.
Leading firms like WACOT Limited, OLAM Nig Ltd, and Robust International Commodities Ltd dominate the trade, leveraging strong production networks and logistics efficiency to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global agricultural export products markets.
Which is the best seed company in Nigeria?
- WACOT Limited– US$57.4M | Nigeria’s largest seed exporter.
- OLAM Nig Ltd– US$26.9M | Global supply chain leader in sesame and oilseeds.
- Robust International Commodities Ltd– US$18.3M | Key player in bulk seed exports.
- ETC Agro Company Nigeria Ltd– US$16.7M | Strong presence in African seed trade.
- Valency Agro Nigeria Ltd– US$14.2M | Diversified exporter of premium agricultural products.
| Rank | Company Name | Shipments | Export Value (US$) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WACOT Limited | 122 | 57,421,916.16 | 8,722,163 |
| 2 | OLAM Nig Ltd | 210 | 26,902,334.23 | 8,849,073 |
| 3 | Robust International Commodities Ltd | 202 | 18,371,964.39 | 3,343,367.27 |
| 4 | ETC Agro Company Nigeria Ltd | 89 | 16,747,490.57 | 5,568,510.18 |
| 5 | Valency Agro Nigeria Ltd | 44 | 14,268,632.86 | 3,785,193.83 |
| 6 | Aura Agro Allied Limited | 46 | 10,651,146.30 | 615,551.25 |
| 7 | Crescendo Agro Nigeria Ltd | 23 | 5,881,320.27 | 736,671.56 |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria’s Top Seeds Exporter Trade Data 2025 | 57 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria’s Top Seeds Exporter Trade Data 2025 | 591,807.02 |
| 9 | 23 | 1,214,021.43 | ||
| 10 | 11 | 3,220 |
Top 5 - Fish & aquatic products (US$12 million)
TradeInt’s data showed strong performance within the category of Nigeria agricultural export products, driven by rising aquaculture capacity and growing demand from Europe and Asia. The sector’s export strength is anchored in high-value markets where Nigerian fish products, particularly shrimp and crustaceans, are recognized for their quality and freshness. These exports play a growing role in diversifying agricultural products for export in Nigeria, contributing to both foreign exchange earnings and rural employment.
The top Nigerian fish export destination countries are:
- Netherlands – $6.72 million (55.17%): Nigeria’s largest seafood buyer, importing primarily frozen shrimp and fish due to strong EU demand.
- Belgium – $2.09 million (17.19%): A major re-export hub for Nigerian crustaceans across the EU.
- France – $1.28 million (10.52%): Focuses on premium fish varieties and processed seafood imports.
- Malaysia – $965,000 (7.92%): Increasing imports of Nigerian shrimp for regional processing.
- United States – $677,000 (5.56%): Imports of certified Nigerian shrimp following renewed trade approvals.
- Spain – $212,000 (1.74%): Small but consistent buyer of dried and frozen fish products.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US$) | Share of Total HS 03 Exports (%) | Export Quantity (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 6,719,918 | 55.17% | 663,972 |
| 2 | Belgium | 2,093,448 | 17.19% | 187,692 |
| 3 | France | 1,281,745 | 10.52% | 113,457 |
| 4 | Malaysia | 965,030 | 7.92% | 73,080 |
| 5 | United States | 677,288 | 5.56% | 34,344 |
| 6 | Spain | 212,167 | 1.74% | 53,760 |
Curious how these HS Codes connect to other export categories?
👉🏻 Explore them in seconds with TradeInt’s FREE HS Code Lookup Tool, designed to help businesses and analysts decode trade data efficiently.
Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture industry is becoming a major pillar among Nigeria agricultural export products, balancing growing domestic demand with increasing export potential. As of 2025, the country produces around 500,000 tonnes of fish annually, supported by aquaculture, marine, and inland water systems.
Despite this strong output, local consumption, averaging 8 kg per person annually, still outpaces supply, forcing Nigeria to import nearly US$0.6 billion worth of fish yearly. Meanwhile, fish exports stand at US$90 million, underscoring both the domestic market’s size and the country’s untapped global potential.
Aquaculture contributes roughly 28% of total fisheries output, driven by private investments in feed production, hatcheries, and innovative multi-species farming systems. The government’s Blue Economy initiative, led by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, aims to close the supply gap by improving infrastructure, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting export-ready aquaculture products such as shrimp and catfish.
In 2024, Nigeria regained its certification to export shrimp to the U.S. and European Union, achieving a 100% compliance score with the Turtle Excluder Device, an important milestone for export quality assurance. Therefore, while fish remains one of the most exported agricultural products from Nigeria, its true value lies in its dual role: meeting food security needs at home while driving foreign exchange earnings abroad.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s agricultural export products are showing remarkable growth, driven by rising global demand and improved data visibility. According to TradeInt, agricultural exports reached ₦4.4 trillion in 2024, marking a 257% year-on-year increase, with cocoa, fertilizers, and oil seeds leading the surge. This momentum underscores Nigeria’s shift toward diversified, non-oil exports and stronger participation in global supply chains. As trade competition intensifies, access to real-time analytics becomes essential.
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