Exporting Nigerian Produce

Our country Nigeria consist of many vegetation zones . From Sahara desert in the far north to mangrove swamp forest in the south. This make it possible to produce diverse crops. Before the oil boom Nigerian economy thrives well on exportation of the following crops Ground nut palm oil palm kernel cocoa coffee rubber. All these are then called cash crops. Because they are the source of foreign currency on which the economy is based. For the purpose of this study we shall consider the following cash crops Cocoa cashew nuts and cotton.

CASH CROP PRODUCING STATES
Cotton
Northern states Kano Kaduna Bornu Bauchi Kastina Kwara
Gombe
Cocoa
Ogun Oyo Osun Ondo Ekiti EDO Kogi
Cashew Kwara
Kogi OYO Ogun
These crops are available at the producing states during their
harvesting season.

PROCEDURE
The minimum exportable quantity of these crops is 12 tons. This is the capacity of 12 feet container. Buy the produce from government licensed produce buyers and make sure
you pay all necessary dues to the government. It is important that you should buy grade 1 produce to command good
price in the world market. Be sure the grade is reflected in the grading certificate issued to you before evacuation.

Be sure that the quantity of goods in each bag is correct by weighing the bags at random to verify. If the weight is not correct you have the right to insist that they should weigh all the bags before you pay and evacuate. After grading and weighing correctly , each bag is sown in a special pattern for export, and sealed with government seal. Then the produce inspectors will issue the grading certificate and the evacuation certificate. Collect your certificate find a lorry to load your produce to Lagos. The haulage fees will be paid along the road at
the point of departure from the local government where you bought the goods.

The necessary fees are 1 grading fees to the state government 2 Evacuation fees to the local government 3 Haulage fees also to the local government.

Please do not try to evade any of the fees. The penalty is very severe. After paying all the dues load the produce to government designated warehouse in Lagos. There are many government approved warehouses . I have enjoyed the services of the following:

• Agro commodities handling company at charity bus stop along Oshodi mile 2 expressway.
• Green source limited, beside the bridge at mile 2.

At these warehouses all the government agencies and facilities for exportation are present. On getting to the warehouse .The produce is received, weighed in in your presence and receipt given to you, confirming the quantity which you brought. Do not be surprised the weight will increase more than what you loaded at the farm. It is not
magic you have started making profit. The weight difference is due to the tares which was deducted at the farm is higher than what is actually deducted at the warehouse. At the farm in Ondo and Ekiti states, the tares on each bag goes up to 3kg/bag at the warehouse the tares will not exceed 1kg/bag so you gain 2kg on each bag.

After dropping off at the warehouse the following operations will be carried out by the Federal agencies present.
1. Grading
2. Upgrading
by blending or drying if necessary. This is why you must make sure you purchase good quality grade one produce from the farm. It is cheaper to dry and carry out all the necessary upgrading at the farm so your
produce will pass all the tests with ease. By this you will be proud and able to charge maximum price on the produce.
After grading the next stage is fumigation. After fumigation then shipment. For all these operations there are agencies at the warehouse to perform at standard fees. The ware house will issue a warrant to you in respect of the produce and all the operations carried out on it after you must have paid for the services. Do not forget that warehousing is also a service.

This warrant certificate you will sell to the importers of the produce. The importers are present at the warehouse. Find out which one has the highest price . The staff of the warehouse knows so you can seek
their assistance. The money is normally paid in foreign currency of the importer or you can collect the Naira equivalent if you choose.
I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK