Table of Contents
What are Nigeria's main exports?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria export database, Nigeria recorded a total export value of about US$13.5B between January and March 2025, with exports heavily concentrated in energy and a small number of agricultural and industrial products. TradeInt’s customs-verified data shows that Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products (HS 27) dominated Nigeria’s exports at US$11.51B, accounting for 84.95% of total export value. This was followed by Cocoa and cocoa products (HS 18) at US$906.94M (6.70%), Fertilizers (HS 31) at US$561.66M (4.15%), Edible fruits and nuts (HS 08) at US$113.57M (0.84%), and Oil seeds and miscellaneous seeds (HS 12) at US$106.54M (0.79%).
Together, these categories define Nigeria’s export profile in Q1 2025, reflecting strong reliance on hydrocarbons alongside selective growth in agriculture and agro-industrial goods.
Top 5 major goods exported from Nigeria to the world from Jan-March 2025
- HS 27 – Mineral Fuels & Oils| US$11.5B (84.9%) – Crude oil and refined products remain Nigeria’s top exports, powering global energy supply.
- HS 18 – Cocoa & Cocoa Products| US$906.9M (6.7%) – Driven by Europe’s confectionery demand and West African supply dominance.
- HS 31 – Fertilizers| US$561.7M (4.1%) – Supported by Nigeria’s growing petrochemical capacity and urea exports.
- HS 08 – Edible Fruits & Nuts| US$113.6M (0.8%) – Mainly citrus and tropical fruit exports to regional and Middle Eastern markets.
- HS 12 – Oil Seeds & Misc. Seeds| US$106.5M (0.8%) – Includes sesame and industrial plant seeds used in food and cosmetic manufacturing.
| Rank | 2-digit HS Code | Category | Export Value (US$) | Total Value Share (%) | Top 3 Importing Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products (bituminous substances, mineral waxes) | 11,507,167,993 | 84.95% |
1. India 2. Netherlands 3. France |
| 2 | 18 | Cocoa and Cocoa Products | 906,936,211 | 6.70% |
1. Netherlands 2. Belgium 3. Germany |
| 3 | 31 | Fertilizers | 561,656,820 | 4.15% |
1. India 2. Netherlands 3. France |
| 4 | 8 | Edible fruits and nuts (citrus fruits or melon peel) | 113,574,244 | 0.84% |
1. Brazil 2. United States 3. India |
| 5 | 12 | Oil seeds and miscellaneous seeds and fruits (incl. industrial or medicinal plants) | 106,543,378 | 0.79% |
1. China 2. Japan 3. United States |
| 6 | 71 | Natural or cultured pearls, precious metals and jewelry (coins and imitation jewelry) | 58,175,302 | 0.43% |
1. Switzerland 2. Swaziland 3. China |
| 7 | 76 | Aluminum and its products | 42,862,616 | 0.32% |
1. Japan 2. South Korea 3. Togo |
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Othis report is built on verified shipment and customs data from TradeInt, the AI-powered platform offering a complete view of Nigeria's global trade flows.
We equip exporters, importers and policymakers with real-time insights to track shipments, identify new buyers, analyze competitors, and uncover emerging markets across sectors like oil, cocoa, fertiilizers and seeds.
Schedule a free demo todayTop 1 - Mineral fuels and Oils - US$11.5 Billion
Which countries import the most mineral fuesls and oil from Nigeria in Q1 2025?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria export database, Nigeria exported about US$13.5B of goods in Jan to Mar 2025, and exports were heavily concentrated in Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products (HS 27) at US$11,507,167,993 (about 84.95% share), followed by Cocoa and cocoa products (HS 18) at US$906,936,211 (about 6.70%), and Fertilizers (HS 31) at US$561,656,820 (about 4.15%). Other notable export categories in this period include Edible fruits and nuts (HS 08) at US$113,574,244 (0.84%), Oil seeds and miscellaneous seeds and fruits (HS 12) at US$106,543,378 (0.79%), Precious metals and jewelry (HS 71) at US$58,175,302 (0.43%), and Aluminum and its products (HS 76) at US$42,862,616 (0.32%).
Top 5 top export destinations for Nigeria's HS 27 (mineral fuels & oils) from Jan-Mar 2025
- India – US$1.70 B (14.8%): Nigeria’s largest crude oil buyer, sustaining long-term refinery imports.
- Netherlands – US$1.06 B (9.2%): A major re-export hub for refined petroleum in the EU.
- France – US$936 M (8.1%): Increasing refinery demand for West African crude blends.
- Spain – US$899 M (7.8%): Expanding imports for energy diversification and fuel blending.
- United States – US$791 M (6.9%): Stable crude imports for Gulf Coast refiners.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US $) | Total Value Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 1,699,277,680 | 14.77% |
| 2 | Netherlands | 1,063,615,669 | 9.24% |
| 3 | France | 936,117,626 | 8.14% |
| 4 | Spain | 898,728,173 | 7.81% |
| 5 | United States | 791,254,858 | 6.88% |
| 6 | Italy | 779,854,451 | 6.78% |
| 7 | Indonesia | 752,087,486 | 6.54% |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Country | 527,097,288 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Trade Data |
| 9 | 463,267,007 | ||
| 10 | 299,731,838 |
Nigeria’s mineral fuels and oils sector continues to dominate the country’s trade profile, accounting for the majority of export earnings and serving as a critical driver of fiscal and foreign exchange stability.
Is Nigeria the biggest exporter of oil?
No. Although valued at over US$46 billion in 2024, this category, comprising crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and petroleum gas, is central to Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer and one of the world’s top ten exporters.
From a production standpoint, Nigeria’s energy output has shown steady recovery following the pandemic downturn, though it remains below potential due to structural inefficiencies.
Domestic crude oil production increased by 44% between 2000 and 2023, supported by new offshore projects and improved operational capacity. However, widespread oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and inconsistent regulatory enforcement continue to constrain exports. As a result, while total oil supply rose by 111% between 2000 and 2023, the benefits have been uneven, with production volatility impacting both export volumes and government revenues.
While Nigeria’s oil sector remains the backbone of its economy, the country’s performance must also be viewed in the broader context of global energy trade.
👉🏻 Must also read: Top 5 global palm oil exporting countries in H1 2025
Top 2 - Cocoa & cocoa products - US$906.9 Million
Which country buys the most cocoa from Nigeria?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria HS 18 (Cocoa & Cocoa Products) export database, the Netherlands is the largest buyer of Nigerian cocoa between January and March 2025, importing US$413.30 million, which accounts for 45.57% of Nigeria’s total HS 18 exports during the period, with an export quantity of 59.98 million units. Overall, Nigeria exported approximately US$907 million worth of cocoa and cocoa products (HS 18) in Jan–Mar 2025.
TradeInt’s latest cocoa export data shows that Nigerian cocoa shipments were primarily absorbed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United States, Malaysia, Italy, and Indonesia, markets that play key roles in global cocoa processing, manufacturing, and redistribution.
Top 5 cocoa importing countries from Nigeria in Q1 2025
- Netherlands – US$413.3 M (45.6%): Remains Nigeria’s largest cocoa buyer and processing hub.
- Belgium – US$196.0 M (21.6%): Key EU re-export and chocolate manufacturing center.
- Germany – US$83.1 M (9.2%): Rising imports for premium confectionery production.
- United States – US$55.3 M (6.1%): Demand driven by organic and fair-trade chocolate makers.
- Malaysia – US$52.9 M (5.8%): Strengthening Asia’s cocoa grind market and downstream processing capacity.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US $) | Total Value Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 413,303,809 | 45.57% |
| 2 | Belgium | 195,954,114 | 21.61% |
| 3 | Germany | 83,106,005 | 9.16% |
| 4 | United States | 55,329,178 | 6.10% |
| 5 | Malaysia | 52,902,412 | 5.83% |
| 6 | Italy | 32,763,745 | 3.61% |
| 7 | Indonesia | 30,486,577 | 3.36% |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Country | 14,319,212 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Trade Data |
| 9 | 10,593,086 | ||
| 10 | 7,664,649 |
Does Nigeria export cocoa?
Yes, Nigeria is one of the world’s top exporters of cocoa, and the sector stands at the forefront of the country’s non-oil export diversification drive.
Between 2024 and 2025, cocoa exports surged more than sevenfold to ₦2.7 trillion (US $1.7 billion), supported by record global prices and a weaker naira. This performance helped push non-oil exports up 19.6% to US$3.23 billion in the first half of 2025, according to Reuters, underscoring cocoa’s growing role as one of Nigeria’s main exports alongside crude oil and LNG.
Domestically, cocoa production is anchored by a network of 300,000–350,000 smallholder farmers cultivating over 1.4 million hectares of farmland, reported by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, primarily in the southwestern and southeastern states. Nigeria produces premium-quality cocoa beans prized for their aromatic and smoother flavor, a result of its unique hybrid stock and fertile growing regions.
As the fourth-largest producer globally, Nigeria guarantees a reliable and sustainable supply base, with production exceeding 300,000 metric tons in the 2023–24 season and expected to rise further in 2025 due to better weather and improved crop varieties.
Top 3 - Fertilizers - US$561.7 Million
Who are the top fertilizer importing countries from Nigeria in Q1 2025?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria HS 31 (Fertilizers) export database, Nigeria exported about US$561.7 million worth of fertilizers in Q1 2025, with shipments highly concentrated among a few large agricultural markets. TradeInt’s latest customs-verified data shows that exports were led by Brazil (US$241.26M, 42.96%), followed by the United States (US$158.22M, 28.17%) and India (US$101.05M, 17.99%), Secondary destinations included France (US$11.63M, 2.07%), Turkey (US$11.57M, 2.06%), Uruguay (US$11.15M, 1.99%), and Romania (US$9.90M, 1.76%).
Top 5 fertilizer importing countries from Nigeria in Q1 2025
- Brazil – US$203.9 M (36.3%): Largest buyer, driven by high agricultural demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers.
- Argentina – US$81.6 M (14.6%): Expanding fertilizer imports to support soy and corn cultivation.
- United States – US$67.5 M (12.0%): Consistent demand for nitrogen fertilizers for the spring planting season.
- India – US$59.8 M (10.7%): Growing imports aligned with local crop yield enhancement programs.
- Uruguay – US $42.3 M (7.5%): Strengthening trade ties with West African fertilizer suppliers.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US $) | Total Value Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 241,262,878 | 42.96% |
| 2 | United States | 158,215,206 | 28.17% |
| 3 | India | 101,046,243 | 17.99% |
| 4 | France | 11,631,412 | 2.07% |
| 5 | Turkey | 11,573,491 | 2.06% |
| 6 | Uruguay | 11,150,292 | 1.99% |
| 7 | Romania | 9,900,822 | 1.76% |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Country | 8,978,323 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Trade Data |
| 9 | 6,653,329 | ||
| 10 | 489,236 |
How big is the fertilizer market in Nigeria?
In the first quarter of 2025, the export value of urea alone reached ₦856 billion (US $561.7 million), accounting for 4.15% of the country’s total exports during the period. This represents nearly a fourfold increase from ₦240.6 billion in early 2024, underscoring the sector’s strong growth trajectory.
Globally, Nigeria has become a competitive supplier to Brazil, India, and the United States, benefiting from a weaker currency and favorable trade terms. Domestically, fertilizer consumption rose by 26% from 2022 to 2023, as local farmers increasingly adopted NPK blends to improve crop yields despite rising input costs.
The expansion of the Indorama and Dangote facilities is expected to raise total national capacity beyond 5 million metric tons annually, transforming Nigeria into a fertilizer production hub for West Africa.
As Nigeria strengthens its fertilizer production and export capacity, and equally important question emerges across the continent: where does Africa’s southern powerhouse source it’s own supply?
📖 Must read also: Top 5 countries from which South Africa imports products 2025
Top 4- Edible fruits & nuts - US$113.6 Million
Who are the top edible fruits & nuts-importing countries from Nigeria in Q1 2025?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria HS 08 (Edible fruits & nuts) export database, Nigeria exported approximately US$113.6 million of edible fruits and nuts in Q1 2025, with exports highly concentrated in India and Vietnam. TradeInt’s customs-verified data shows that India ranked first, importing US$58.31 million (about 51.34% share), followed by Vietnam at US$49.22 million (43.34%). Together, these two Asian markets absorbed over 94% of Nigeria’s total HS 08 export value during the quarter. Secondary destinations included the UAE (US$1.26M, 1.11%) and the Netherlands (US$1.17M, 1.03%), with smaller volumes shipped to the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany. The snapshot reports a total export value of US$113.6M for Q1 2025.
Top 5 HS08-importing countries from Nigeria in Q1 2025
- India – 51.34%: Nigeria’s leading buyer, driven by high cashew demand.
- Vietnam – 43.34%: Key processing hub for raw cashew exports.
- UAE – 1.11%: Regional re-export center for dry fruits and nuts.
- Netherlands – 1.03%: Growing interest in African agricultural imports.
- United Kingdom – 0.82%: Stable demand for premium tropical products.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US $) | Total Value Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 58,306,440 | 51.34% |
| 2 | Vietnam | 49,218,674 | 43.34% |
| 3 | UAE | 1,255,414 | 1.11% |
| 4 | Netherlands | 1,166,549 | 1.03% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 929,891 | 0.82% |
| 6 | United States | 596,720 | 0.53% |
| 7 | Germany | 507,717 | 0.45% |
| 8 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Country | 424,977 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Trade Data |
| 9 | 155,411 | ||
| 10 | 138,412 |
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Schedule a free demo todayWhat fruits does Nigeria export?
The most prominent fruit exports include pineapples, mangoes, avocados, and ginger, alongside dried fruit products. These exports benefit from Nigeria’s long tropical growing season and increasing investment in agricultural processing and cold-chain logistics.
Ginger and garlic remain two of Nigeria’s most profitable horticultural exports due to their global demand in food processing and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the country exports kola nuts and shea products, both of which have cultural and commercial significance.
Top 5- Oil seeds & misc. seeds - US$106.5 Million
Which countries import the most oil seeds & misc. seeds from Nigeria in Q1 2025?
According to TradeInt’s Nigeria HS 12 (Oil seeds & miscellaneous seeds) export database, Nigeria exported about US$106.5 million worth of HS 12 products in Q1 2025. TradeInt’s latest customs-verified data shows that exports were led by China (US$30.88M, 28.98%), followed by Japan (US$21.83M, 20.49%) and the United States (US$17.97M, 16.87%). Secondary destinations included Turkey (US$7.88M, 7.40%) and Greece (US$5.47M, 5.14%), with additional smaller shipments distributed across other markets.
Top 5 export destination countries for Nigeria's HS 12 exports in Q1 205
- China – 28.98%: Nigeria’s top buyer for sesame and industrial seeds.
- Japan – 20.49%: Consistent importer for food-grade oilseed supply.
- United States – 16.87%: Increasing use in processed food manufacturing.
- Turkey – 7.40%: Demand driven by edible oil and seed processing industries.
- Greece – 5.14%: Stable importer for high-oil-content seeds.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US $) | Total Value Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 30,876,167 | 28.98% |
| 2 | Japan | 21,830,748 | 20.49% |
| 3 | United States | 17,969,909 | 16.87% |
| 4 | Turkey | 7,879,085 | 7.40% |
| 5 | Greece | 5,473,873 | 5.14% |
| 6 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Country | 4,551,818 | 🔒 Unlock Nigeria Top Export Destination Trade Data |
| 7 | 2,323,040 | ||
| 8 | 2,131,728 |
Nigeria’s oil seeds and miscellaneous seeds sector plays a vital role in the country’s non-oil export portfolio, contributing significantly to agricultural diversification and foreign exchange earnings. Among what are Nigeria’s main exports, sesame seeds stand out as the flagship product, placing the country among the top five global exporters.
Nigerian sesame is highly valued in international markets for its high oil content, purity, and rich flavor, with strong demand from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Over the past five years, sesame export value has risen by 59.2%, from US$288.6 million in 2019 to US$459.4 million in 2023, underscoring its growing global appeal.
Conclusion
What are Nigeria’s main exports?
While mineral fuels and oils still account for the majority of export revenue, non-oil exports have gained remarkable traction. According to TradeInt’s verified global trade data, Nigeria exported US $13.5 billion worth of goods in the first three months of 2025, with fertilizer exports surging fourfold year-on-year and cocoa exports maintaining strong global demand. In short, these shifts mark a gradual but steady diversification of what defines Nigeria’s main exports.
As global markets shift and regional trade opportunities expand, access to accurate, near-real-time trade data has never been more critical. TradeInt empowers exporters, importers, and policymakers with the visibility to identify new buyers, monitor competitors, and uncover high-growth opportunities across more than 80 trade markets.
