MARKET NEWS

By Daniel Essiet

Nigeria and other coconut-producing countries are intensifying efforts to boost its global production currently estimated at about 65 million metric tons, with a renewed focus on processing and product diversification across the value chain.

According to the International Coconut Community (ICC), global coconut oil production, a coconut derivative, is projected to reach approximately 3.5 million metric tons this year, up from an estimated 3.16 million metric tons last year and broadly in line with the 3.50 million metric tons recorded the year before.

Farmers have been urged to seize emerging opportunities to increase coconut production and productivity, as global output has remained relatively stable at about 62–65 million metric tons annually between 2021 and 2025, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This stability has been marked by slight fluctuations driven by weather conditions and demand factors.

Figures from IndexBox put Africa’s total 2024 production at 2.2-2.3 million tons, with major producers including Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Nigeria.  IndexBox placed Ghana  as  Africa’s leading coconut producer, producing approximately 544,773 tonnes in 2024—nearly 24 per cent of the continent’s output.

Nigeria ranks fourth in Africa, maintaining steady production between 224,184 and 230,000 metric tonnes since 2021, largely driven by expansion in Lagos State.

At the 12th International Coconut Festival (AgunkeFest 2025), themed “Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action: Nigeria’s Export Potentials in the Coconut Value Chain,” held last year in Lagos, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the state would continue to maintain its position as a major coconut producer.

She noted that the coconut sector plays a crucial role in the rural economy, supporting millions of farmers and livelihoods, while also contributing to allied industries such as coir, coconut oil, and other value-added products. She described coconuts as “the tree of life,” stressing their potential to significantly contribute to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if properly harnessed.

“If you look at countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, or Malaysia, coconuts contribute massively to their economies. Lagos has over 185 kilometres of coastline. Imagine the impact if coconuts were planted and harnessed across that stretch. This is not just about agriculture; it is about the economy, tourism, and even environmental protection,” she said.

Ms. Olusanya also highlighted investments in Badagry, one of the state’s major agricultural zones, noting that Lagos is expanding coconut farming alongside rice and vegetable cultivation.

“We are supporting farmers in Badagry with training, food hubs, and partnerships with the private sector. Markets are being streamlined so that farmers can reap the full benefits of their labour. Coconut farming is central to these efforts,” she added.

She reiterated that coconuts are not just crops but symbols of Lagos’ heritage and resilience.

“This is a cash crop that keeps giving. We have a duty to the next generation to preserve it as part of our culture, our economy, and our environment,” she said.

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s coconut value chain. The festival was convened to promote innovation, research, and stakeholder collaboration aimed at positioning Nigeria to harness the full industrial and export potential of coconut.

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Representing the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, the Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ojiakor, emphasised the council’s vision of building a globally competitive coconut industry capable of driving national industrial growth.

She said the festival’s theme aligns with RMRDC’s mandate to transform Nigeria from an import-dependent nation into a major producer and exporter of coconut and its high-value derivatives.

According to her, the theme underscores both the urgency and opportunity for Nigeria to move from high consumption and import reliance to becoming a globally competitive producer of coconut and its numerous value-added products.

She stressed that coconut is not merely an agricultural commodity but a strategic industrial raw material with applications across agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, energy generation, and construction.

Mrs. Ojiakor reiterated that RMRDC remains committed to strengthening the entire coconut value chain through research, technology deployment, capacity building, and partnerships with private sector stakeholders. These efforts, she said, are aimed at improving seedling quality, enhancing processing efficiency, promoting international standards, and positioning Nigeria as an emerging force in the global coconut market.

She commended the festival organisers for providing a platform where innovation meets opportunity, noting that such engagements stimulate partnerships, inspire investment, and strengthen policy support needed to scale coconut production and processing.

The sector, however, continues to face challenges such as ageing plantations, pest infestations, and declining productivity, all of which affect output and farmer incomes, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions.

Stakeholders have therefore called on the government to introduce measures to enhance production, productivity, and value addition in the sector. These include replanting old and unproductive trees, promoting high-yield and disease-resistant varieties, and encouraging intercropping to improve farm viability. They also emphasised the need to strengthen processing infrastructure, expand cultivation, and boost exports of coconut-based products.

The ICC recently concluded its participation in the 4th International Conference of Tropical Plants (ICTP 2026) in Thailand. The conference, jointly organised by Hainan University, China, and Kasetsart University, Thailand, was held under the theme “Cultivating Climate Smart Resilience for a Sustainable Bio-Economy.”

The event brought together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and development partners from across ICC member countries and beyond, reaffirming the growing global importance of coconut as a strategic crop for food security, climate resilience, and bioeconomic development.

A key highlight of ICC’s participation was the keynote address delivered by Director-General Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw. Her presentation, titled: “From Germplasm to Global Markets: Advancing Coconut Research Excellence, Crop Protection, and Evidence-Based Governance,” emphasised the multifaceted role of coconut in supporting sustainable development across tropical regions.

The keynote underscored the importance of integrating scientific innovation, policy frameworks, and market-oriented strategies to unlock the full potential of the coconut sector. It also highlighted the dual mandate of the ICC in advancing policy advocacy, capacity building, and market linkages, alongside the scientific coordination role of COGENT in managing global coconut genetic resources.

Alouw further emphasised the need for evidence-based governance, digital transformation, and value addition, while addressing key challenges such as climate change, declining productivity, and market volatility. She stressed the urgency of strengthening collaboration among ICC’s 21 member countries, which collectively account for over 90 per cent of global coconut production.