Nigeria produces 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions annually — Marketers

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria says Nigeria remains Africa’s second-largest onion producer after Egypt, with annual production estimated at 2.1 million metric tonnes.

The national president of the association, Alhaji Aliyu Isah, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

Isah said, “Nigeria currently produces about 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions annually, with a value of approximately N1.17 trillion.”

According to him, Nigeria is among Africa’s largest onion producers, second only to Egypt. Nigerian onions are exported across West and Central Africa, as well as to some European markets.

He described onion production as a major contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural economy and rural livelihoods, noting that government interventions have helped stabilise production and market prices.

He commended the Federal Government for supporting farmers through improved seeds, fertiliser, and agrochemicals.

The NOPPMAN national president said partnerships with ministries and agencies had improved farmers’ training and access to modern agricultural practices, adding that stakeholders were working to reduce non-tariff barriers along regional trade corridors.

He also said that the association is committed to fostering cooperation among farmers, marketers, processors, and exporters to build a strong, integrated, and efficient onion value chain.

He further said that collaboration with customs authorities has improved trade corridors and facilitated cross-border movement.

He disclosed that the association is partnering with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to reduce export costs and streamline logistics for exporting processed onion products.

According to him, collaboration with partners from Ghana, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso has improved cross-border trade, and there is a need to expand onion processing facilities to increase value addition.