The coffee industry in Nigeria is seeing a bright future with hopes of reaping $2 billion in the coming two to three years.
This optimistic outlook is based on the increasing demand for coffee from developed countries, a trend that industry insiders are eager to seize upon.
Data from the United Nations COMTRADE international trade database revealed that Nigeria’s exports of coffee, tea, mate, and spices reached $38.63 million in 2021.
Given this backdrop, leaders in the coffee industry are strategically positioning themselves to tap into the growing global appetite for coffee products.
Africa, as a continent, plays a significant role in satisfying the world’s desire for coffee, providing an impressive 80 percent of the United States’ coffee imports.
“In the next 2 to 3 years, by aggregating our cultivation capacity, we aim to generate $2bn in coffee revenue,” the President of the West Africa Specialty Coffee Association, Larry Segun-Lean, told The PUNCH at the World Coffee and Tea Expo in Lagos.
According to Segun, the enormously promising industry is preparing for growth by leveraging the demand for Nigerian coffee abroad, particularly in markets like Japan.
The President said, “There is significant international interest in Nigerian coffee; currently, some are exporting to countries like Japan and Canada. Africa supplies 80 per cent of the US coffee imports, and Nigeria can tap into this market.
However, Segun said to achieve this, Nigeria must stimulate interest among Nigerians in coffee cultivation.
According to him, proper dissemination of information is crucial. “Many people confuse coffee with cocoa, and some even consider coffee a byproduct of cocoa. Securing land is a key challenge.”
In addition, he pleaded with states that grow coffee to give farmers ample access to land. He pointed out that clearing farmland is a significant challenge that calls for equipment and the right training to increase productivity.