Nigeria’s agricultural exports fell by 31 percent in June as persistent port congestion and repeated rejection of produce over excessive pesticide residues disrupted shipments to key international markets, according to the latest industry data. The decline has raised fresh concerns over the country’s non oil export sector and the competitiveness of Nigerian farm produce abroad.
Exporters attributed the sharp drop to prolonged delays at the nation’s seaports, where cargo often spends weeks waiting for clearance before shipment. Industry operators said the delays have increased logistics costs, reduced the quality of perishable products and caused many exporters to miss delivery schedules agreed with overseas buyers.
The situation has been compounded by stricter food safety inspections in Europe and other export destinations. Several consignments of Nigerian agricultural products were reportedly rejected after laboratory tests detected pesticide residues above internationally accepted limits, preventing the goods from entering those markets.
The rejected products include commodities such as sesame seeds, dried beans, spices and other farm produce that have traditionally generated foreign exchange for Nigeria. Exporters said repeated interceptions have damaged the reputation of Nigerian products and made foreign buyers more cautious when placing new orders.
Agricultural exporters said compliance with international food safety standards has become increasingly important as countries tighten regulations on imported food. They noted that many small scale farmers continue to use pesticides without adequate guidance on approved chemicals, application methods and required waiting periods before harvest.
Industry groups also pointed to infrastructure challenges at Nigerian ports, including slow cargo processing, limited storage facilities and multiple inspection procedures. They said these bottlenecks reduce the country’s competitiveness against other agricultural exporting nations with faster and more efficient port operations.
The decline in exports comes at a time when the Federal Government is promoting non oil exports as a major source of foreign exchange and economic diversification. Agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s largest employers and contributes significantly to national output, making export performance an important measure of the sector’s growth.
Exporters have urged the government to strengthen monitoring of pesticide use through better extension services and stricter enforcement of food safety regulations. They also called for faster cargo clearance at ports and improved coordination among regulatory agencies to reduce delays affecting export shipments.
Trade experts warned that continued rejection of Nigerian agricultural products could weaken the country’s position in international markets if corrective measures are not implemented quickly. They said restoring confidence among foreign buyers would require stronger quality control systems from production through export.
Despite the setback recorded in June, exporters remain optimistic that improved compliance with international standards and reforms aimed at modernizing port operations could help Nigeria recover lost markets and increase agricultural exports in the coming months.
