FG denies raw cocoa export ban, promotes value addition
The Federal Government has denied plans to ban raw cocoa exports, stating its priority is promoting value addition while allowing exports to continue as domestic processing expands.
The Federal Government has denied reports that it plans to ban the export of raw cocoa beans, stressing that its priority is to promote value addition across Nigeria’s cocoa industry rather than restrict exports. The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari .
According to the minister, the government’s focus is on encouraging more local processing of cocoa into higher-value products such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate, while allowing raw cocoa exports to continue as domestic processing capacity expands . Kyari explained that raw cocoa exports would continue to play an important role as Nigeria expands domestic processing capacity .
The Minister said the ministry had taken note of public discussions suggesting that the Federal Government intended to ban the export of raw cocoa beans. He stressed that such claims do not reflect the government’s position . Kyari added that, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government remains committed to building a globally competitive cocoa industry by encouraging greater local processing while maintaining Nigeria’s position as a reliable exporter of cocoa .
He also noted that the government’s approach aligns with efforts to strengthen agricultural exports through improved traceability and compliance with international standards, ensuring continued access to premium global markets while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian cocoa .
The clarification comes as Nigeria’s agricultural export sector faced significant headwinds in the first quarter of 2026, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on June 8. Total agricultural trade stood at ₦2 trillion, with exports accounting for ₦1.17 trillion . Cocoa butter exports highlight Nigeria’s gradual shift toward exporting more processed cocoa products, although raw cocoa beans remain the country’s dominant cocoa export .
The government’s emphasis on value addition comes as cocoa continues to dominate Nigeria’s agricultural exports, making the sector a key driver of non-oil export earnings. The policy signals a shift toward increasing the value derived from Nigeria’s cocoa industry without disrupting existing export markets for raw cocoa beans .
This mirrors the 2010s agricultural export policies, which also sought to balance raw exports with local processing. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a government trying to encourage value addition without alienating existing markets.
The winners: Nigerian cocoa processors, who benefit from government support; Nigerian cocoa farmers, who gain from a more stable market; and the Nigerian economy, which benefits from value addition. The losers: the Nigerian government, which must ensure the policy is implemented effectively; and the Nigerian public, which must trust that the government will not change its position.
Bottom Line: The government says it is not banning raw cocoa exports. It is just encouraging value addition. The distinction is important. The question is whether it is real or rhetorical.