Export Potential of Nigerian Horticultural Fruits Industry

Increased awareness of the health benefits of fruits has resulted in phenomenal growth in the demand for fruits and fruit juices in Nigeria. Increasing population, expanding middle class, increasing urbanization as well as consumers changing taste has also increased fruit juice consumption. This study examines the trend in the demand for fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates in Nigeria. The analysis reveals that in 2011, 93 million Nigerians demanded 452 million litres of fruit juice valued at $407 million and by 2015; it is projected that 139 million Nigerians would be consuming 607 million litres of fruit juice estimated at $546 million. By the year 2011, 54.2kg million kilograms of fruit juice concentrate valued at $160 million was imported into the country and by 2015; the import bill needed for 70.5 million kilograms of fruit juice concentrate will be $210 million unless the country is able to produce concentrate locally. Post harvest loses of fruits occur both on farm and off-farm in Nigeria and it is estimated at 45 percent. The current efforts in the transformation agenda aimed at developing the fruit juice industry through value addition, is therefore, a timely one. Reduction in post harvest losses will have a multiplier effect on improved nutrition, increased income, increase in foreign exchange earnings as well as employment generation for the populace. This is an area of concern for the National Horticultural Research Institute that is saddled with the production, processing and value additions to fruits and other horticultural plants in Nigeria. Key words: Nigeria, horticulture, fruits export, value additio