How To Start An Agricultural Export Business In Nigeria

Agricultural export of local produce has played a huge role in generating income and creating jobs. Exporting local farm produce or handmade items can earn you up to five times more than what you’d make selling the same things in Nigeria.

The good news is that the Nigerian government now supports this kind of business. You can get loans and other help to start your agricultural export journey.

In this post, we’ll look at simple steps on how to start an agricultural export business in Nigeria.

Steps To Begin An Agricultural Export Business In Nigeria

Do a Thorough Research

Starting an agricultural export business takes careful planning and smart decisions. It’s not something to rush into. You need to do serious research before getting started.

First, learn how to build the right contacts. Find people or companies who are already in the export industry. Then, check if there is already too much of your product in the market.

Business Registration

After a thorough research, the next thing you should do is register it with the right government body. In Nigeria, this is done through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The CAC is the agency in charge of handling business registrations and making sure companies in Nigeria follow the rules.

You can register your agricultural business in different ways depending on the structure you choose. For example, you can register as a business name, a limited liability company, a non-governmental organization (NGO), and so on. Each type of business has its own registration steps and required documents.

Registering your business gives you many advantages. You become a recognized business owner, and this can help you apply for loans and enjoy other support programs meant for entrepreneurs.

If you need help with the registration process, you can contact us and we’ll guide you through it.

Nigerian Export Promotion Council

If you want to start exporting from Nigeria, one important step is to register with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). This gives you an export license and adds your name to the official exporters’ directory.

The NEPC helps connect Nigerian exporters with international buyers. It also confirms that your export certificate is valid and speaks on behalf of Nigerian sellers when dealing with foreign buyers.

The NEPC also makes the export process easier to understand. They have a step-by-step guide made up of 9 parts. These include:

– E-registration

– Creating an export plan

– Handling documents and procedures

– Arranging logistics and freight

– Setting prices

– Managing finances and legal issues

When your business is listed in the NEPC directory—or other export directories—you can receive orders from customers anywhere in the world.

Before you start exporting from Nigeria, your company must meet some legal requirements and have certain important documents in place. These documents help ensure your goods pass through customs smoothly and reach their destination without problems.

To help you understand better, here’s a list of key export documents. Think about which of these might be most important for your business:

Commercial Invoice: This is created by your company and acts as a customs declaration. It includes details about the goods you’re exporting, such as quantity, price, and destination.

Cargo Bill: This document works like a receipt. It lists the goods being shipped and is usually issued by the ship’s captain to the person sending the cargo.

Consular Invoice: This is needed by the consulate or embassy of the country where the goods are going. It’s an official document and often required before entry into that country.

Certificate of Origin (CO): This document shows where the products were made and packaged. Some countries require this to confirm that the goods are truly from Nigeria.

Inspection Certificate: This is very important. It proves the goods were in good condition at the time of shipping. Many countries need this to prevent illegal or damaged goods from entering.

Dock Receipt: This proves that your goods have arrived at the sea carrier’s shipping terminal and are ready to be shipped.

Warehouse Receipt: This is issued when your goods are stored in a warehouse. It proves that you own the goods and that they’re being kept safe before shipment.

Destination Control Statement: This tells the carrier and any foreign party that your goods are only allowed to be exported to specific countries. It can be part of other documents like the commercial invoice or air waybill.

Insurance Certificate: This shows that your shipment is insured. It contains the policy number, type of coverage, and the insurance company’s contact details in case of loss or damage.

Export License: This license proves that your business is legally allowed to export goods. It’s issued by a government agency and gives your foreign customers confidence that they’re dealing with a legal exporter.

Structure

Once you get your licenses and permits, you’re one step closer to becoming a trusted exporter. These documents also allow you to ask questions and get helpful information from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) about how the export business works.

To build trust with buyers and make your business look serious, you need a good setup. One way to do this is by using a professional or virtual office address. This gives your business a professional image and helps buyers feel more confident in working with you.

You should also create a website or landing page so customers (especially importers) can find you online and place their orders easily. On top of that, it’s a good idea to register your company on trade websites. This helps more people see your business and increases your chances of getting customers from around the world.

Source For Direct Producers And Suppliers

The next step is to find where to get the products you want to export. You can produce the goods yourself if you’re able to meet the demand. But if not, it’s best to connect with people who already produce them and reach an agreement with them.

You can start by visiting the farms or factories where the products are made. Or, you can simply open a communication line with the producers or farmers.

Invest In Advertisement And Online Marketing

If you don’t already have a steady buyer who is ready to keep buying your products, then you need to focus on online advertising and marketing. This will help you reach new customers in the countries you plan to export to.

Before you start advertising, make sure you’ve already chosen a product that is in high demand in the country you want to export to. Once that is settled, running targeted ads becomes much easier and more effective.

Don’t forget to use social media. With the right keywords and well-targeted ads, you can reach people who are likely to be interested in your product.

Export Your Products

To export your goods, you can work with freight forwarders. These companies specialize in moving goods around the world. They can handle everything for you, including insurance and finding a trusted customs broker.

Another option is to hire a customs broker. They are the experts who help clear your goods through customs. In many countries, only local, registered officials can handle this task.

When shipping, you’ll have two main options: Free On Board (FOB) and Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF). With FOB, the buyer is responsible for costs and risks once the goods are shipped. With CIF, the seller takes care of all costs, including insurance and transportation, until the buyer receives the goods.

Post-Export Management and Business Scaling

Shipping your first product is just the start of your export journey. What makes successful export businesses stand out is how they manage relationships, track progress, and plan for growth after the first sale.

To get started, set up proper systems. Keep clear and accurate records of every shipment, including documents, buyer communications, certifications, and payment terms. This helps you stay organized and ready for audits, and it shows buyers that you are reliable and consistent.

Pay attention to feedback from buyers. Even small changes in product quality, packaging, or delivery speed can turn a one-time sale into a long-term relationship. Using tools like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can also help you manage buyer relationships as your business grows.

As your foundation gets stronger, scaling up becomes easier. You can explore new markets, offer related products, improve your branding, or look into private labeling. Each successful export gives you more leverage to grow.

What To Export Out Of Nigeria

There are many agricultural products that sell well internationally, and Nigeria has a lot of natural resources that are in demand in other countries. This makes Nigeria a great place for exporting goods.

Some of the agricultural products you can consider exporting from Nigeria include:

Charcoal

Charcoal is produced in various forms, including hardwood charcoal, charcoal briquettes, BBQ charcoal, and Shisha charcoal. It is made in different regions in Nigeria, such as Nassarawa, Jebba, Oyo, and Egbe.

The quality of charcoal produced in Nigeria is known to be among the best worldwide. This has led to strong demand from countries across Asia, Europe, and America, who seek to import it regularly.

Cassava

Cassava is a very important crop in Nigeria. The country grows about one-third more cassava than many other African countries.

Around the world, over 800 million people rely on cassava as a regular source of energy. The tubers can be turned into many products like chips, starch, pellets, and flakes. These products are in high demand in countries like the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and others.

Sesame Seed

Sesame seed is an important crop in Nigeria, which is one of the top producers and exporters of the seed in the world. Nigeria ranks as the 7th largest producer globally, with about 80% of its sesame being exported.

The seed is known for its high nutritional value and numerous health benefits, with a minimum purity of 99%. The demand for sesame continues to grow at a rate of 4% annually, with major markets in the Middle East and Asia.

Nuts like cashew and kola are known for their many health benefits, which makes them highly sought after in international markets.

Nigeria is responsible for about 20% of the world’s in-shell cashew production, making it a leading exporter of cashew nuts. It is also the fourth-largest producer of cashews globally. The main importers of Nigerian cashew nuts are India and Vietnam.

Bitter Kola

Bitter kola is highly sought after in countries like the United States, Japan, India, France, Britain, Germany, China, and other Asian nations. It is mainly found in Africa, and Nigeria is one of the largest exporters of this valuable nut.

Ginger & Garlic

Ginger and garlic are among the most traded spices globally, known for their numerous health benefits. Because of their high demand, they are easily available and can be exported smoothly by following the steps we’ve outlined.

Cocoa

Cocoa is one of the most popular crops in the world because it’s used to make chocolate, drinks, medicine, and other products. This makes it highly demanded in almost every country.

Nigeria exports thousands of tons of cocoa every year. From 2016 to 2017, exports grew by 20%. Nigeria is the fourth-largest cocoa producer in the world, making up 6.5% of global supply, and is expected to grow by 4% each year.

About 90% of Nigeria’s $804 million cocoa exports come from cocoa beans. Cocoa butter and cocoa paste are also exported in large amounts. Countries like the Netherlands, USA, Malaysia, and Belgium are among the top buyers.

Plantain Flour

Plantain is a major crop in Nigeria. The country is the fourth-largest producer in the world, growing about 2.8 million metric tons every year. In Nigeria, many people use plantain flour for food. But the demand doesn’t stop there. Nigerians and other Africans living in Europe, America, and Asia also buy a lot of packaged plantain flour, making it a good business for export.

Edible Oil

Edible oil is another product Nigeria is known for. The country produces many types, like palm oil, palm kernel oil, sesame seed oil, coconut oil, and vegetable oil. These oils are highly demanded in places like Asia, India, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Palm kernel oil, for example, is used to make creams, cosmetics, medicines, and sweets. Most of these oils are also rich in protein and other important nutrients.

Fruits And Juices

Nigeria has many types of fruits that are good for health and highly valued in other countries. These fruits are seen as exotic overseas, so they are in high demand. You can also turn them into juice and package them for export.

Besides fruits, there are other farm products you can export, like chili pepper, bean flour, potatoes, kilishi, soybeans, honey, snails, catfish, butter, medicinal plants, full cream, and more.

Export Business Models and Strategies

Running a successful export business in Nigeria doesn’t follow just one method. The right approach depends on what you’re selling, how much experience you have, the resources you can use, and how involved you want to be in the process.

Knowing the different export models can help you pick the one that matches your goals and lowers your risk at the start.

Direct Exporting

Direct exporting is the simplest model. It means you sell your products straight to buyers in other countries without using any middlemen. This gives you full control over prices, your brand, and how you deal with customers.

One big benefit is that you earn more profit since you don’t pay any agent or commission fees. You can also build strong, long-term relationships with your customers and quickly respond to what the market needs.

But it also means you have more work to do. You must take care of things like rules and regulations, shipping, paperwork, and talking to foreign buyers. For beginners, this might feel like too much if not well planned.

Indirect Exporting Through Intermediaries

Another easy way to enter the export business is by using middlemen. This is called indirect exporting.

Here, you let export agents, aggregators, or trading companies handle everything. They take your product and manage the whole export process — including finding buyers, paperwork, and shipping. These companies already know the market and have the tools to do the job.

The downside is you’ll make less profit because they take a share, and you won’t control how your product is sold or priced overseas. Still, this option is great for beginners or busy people. It lowers your risk and helps you start exporting without spending a lot of money upfront.

E-commerce Exports

E-commerce exports are becoming very popular and offer a great opportunity for small agricultural businesses in Nigeria to reach buyers worldwide without needing large shipping containers.

The good part is that you can start small, test your products in different markets, and manage everything from your computer. However, you will need to deal with international shipping for small orders, create a strong online presence, and handle customer service in different countries.

For Nigerian entrepreneurs with limited money, e-commerce is a low-cost way to start exporting and reach customers worldwide if done well.

Collaborative Export Networks

Collaborative export networks are another way to grow your business faster and save costs by working together with other exporters or producers.

In this model, businesses join groups like cooperatives or export clusters. They share resources to handle things like sourcing, packaging, logistics, and marketing. This is helpful for Nigerian agricultural producers who may not have the volume or funds to take on big international orders alone. By working together, members can negotiate better deals and increase their chances of securing long-term contracts.

The downside is that decisions might take longer, and profits are shared. But this model makes it easier for small businesses to start and offers more stability because everyone shares the systems and infrastructure.

Each export model has its benefits. The important thing is to understand where you are in your export journey, what resources you have, and the type of business you want to build. Choose the model that helps you start strong and grow steadily.

Conclusion

Exporting is not just a side job; it’s a serious, growing business that requires focus, dedication, and skill. Selling Nigerian products to international buyers is not impossible—it’s already happening every day through entrepreneurs who have learned the process, set up the right systems, and positioned themselves for global success.

There are real opportunities. The demand for Nigerian products is strong. And the good news is that the infrastructure for exporting is getting better. If you’ve been wondering how to start an export business, everything you need to get going is already available. What matters now is taking action.

By kingkentus