The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command says a total of 161,285.72 metric tonnes of agricultural products were exported through the Port in 2017, representing over 150 per cent increase from the 55,000 metric tonnes processed in 2016. The Area Comptroller of the Command, Yusuf Bashar who stated this on Tuesday disclosed that Cocoa topped the list of agro commodities exported through the port last year.
According to him, "cocoa bean, which was the highest exported agricultural product through the port last year, recorded 33,294 metric tonnes followed by sesame seed and rubber, which recorded 15,189.78 and 15,072.84 metric tonnes, respectively."
He listed other commodities to include pepper, soybean, rubber, milk, frozen shrimps, hibiscus flowers and ginger, among others.
He attributed the development to increased participation in agricultural activities, assuring that the volume of commodities would even increase in 2018.
Bashar also said the country was taking advantage of ECOWAS treaties to export made-in-Nigeria good to other ECOWAS countries.
"Under the Economic Community of West African States’ Trade Liberalization Scheme, Ochuma said Nigeria had been exporting alcoholic beverages, milk and other finished products to neighbouring countries, taking advantage of the zero duty regime"
“Over 5,000 duty-free commodities and items can be exported to the United States of America under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. A United States embassy official had advised us at a function that Nigeria should concentrate on agricultural products and other specific areas outside technology, as we have a better advantage with the former than the latter.
“For instance, if we pursue exporting made-in-Nigeria radio, television and other household electronics, the tendencies are that we won’t meet the standards required by the advanced countries for now. So its better we focus more on areas where we are better off than them."
