The importation of various goods that may be easily produced in Nigeria, such as cassava, rice, and wheat products, is something the federal government wants to prevent. The development of local manufacturing of these crops is simultaneously encouraged by those interested in local production and export. The government has been concerned with the growth of agriculture and other exportable non-oil goods. Agro-industrial enterprises including the production of cassava, its processing into chips and pellets, industrial starch, ethanol, garri, cassava flour, and foo-foo are still very profitable.
All hands should be on deck to promote cassava production, whether it be by providing financial support or by promoting production for the international market.
This is the opportunity.
Cassava is an important annual food grown throughout Nigeria.
It is tuberous, can grow in subpar soil, and has a high level of drought resistance. It can also be used to describe the tropical plant’s root. Its botanical name is Manihot esculenta, and other names for it include Maniac and Tapioca. In Nigeria, cassava is regarded as a widely available raw material for small and medium-sized businesses. This crop’s root is used to make garri.
Export types
Dry cassava leaves, chips, pellets, cassava meal, flour, starch, and ethanol are among the cassava products available for export. These goods can all be exported. Prospective investors would be provided detailed research papers and feasibility study reports on setting up and operating any of these parts of the project.
Uses
Animal feed is the principal use for cassava. In America and Europe, manufacturers of industrial animal feeds typically favor the dry root chips and pellets. Cassava can also be used to make alcohol. Starch is required by the food and textile industries.
Production
A realistic estimate of Nigeria’s production of these tropical crops is approximately 50,000 metric tons. Cassava and its related products, however, were prohibited from export up until 1996. Its ban was lifted in 1996. Nigerian exporters now have the chance to expand the export markets for this product thanks to this governmental decision.
Other significant tropical developing nations that grow cassava in addition to Nigeria are Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, and Zaire.
Nearly all of Nigeria’s over 60,000 metric tons are processed and consumed locally.
Export
Only 15% of the world’s cassava crop is exported, with Thailand being the leading country in this regard. As was previously mentioned, since 1996, the export prohibition lists for cassava and its derivatives have been removed, and any Nigerian can now invest in and export any processed goods. The current administration is currently encouraging its export among other food crops for which Nigeria is a key producer.
Direction of export
Cassava is mostly exported to Europe and North America, with about 90% of all purchasers coming from the European Union. Prospective investors can request information on the overseas customers of industrial starch, cassava chips and pellets, and cassava flour by getting in touch with the author. Less than 1% of the world’s cassava production is converted into ethanol, mostly in Brazil, while about 30% is utilized for starch and other industrial products. Because of its high carbohydrate content, it is a preferred substance for animal feed. However, it is combined with a protein source, like soy beans.
Europe market overview
Cassava is mostly imported by Europe for use in animal feed. Prospective investors would receive details. About 70% of all agricultural output was related to animal production, which is the main draw of agriculture in Europe. The key draw for cassava is the compound feed composition. About 90% of the cassava traded in Europe comes from underdeveloped nations like Nigeria. Thailand and Indonesia are the two main sources of goods (a combined 85%). (about six percent). With a reported three percent contribution in the early years of the millennium, Sub-Saharan Africa has yet to make a significant contribution to the global cassava trade.
The Netherlands, which imports more than 40% of the cassava consumed in Europe, and Germany, which consumes approximately 20%%), Belgium and Luxembourg (about 13 %), France (8 %), the United Kingdom (10 %), and Italy (two percent). Prospective investors would be given a detailed description of the exportable quality criteria.
Transportation and handling
Costs associated with transportation and handling are significant when preparing cassava for export. This is because the product is hefty in nature. This expense could account for up to 50% of the whole expense.
For those who want to export cassava, it is therefore advised to handle cost reduction programs well because doing so would improve their ability to compete. Comparatively to other exportable processed cassava products like industrial starch, cassava pellets are typically easier to handle and carry. The quality of the product is crucial.
Quality
Feed millers place a high value on quality. To preserve the caliber of their products, consistency in quality is crucial.
Usually, nutritive value is used to measure quality. The following minimum requirements apply. Chips, flour, and pellets are represented by percentages of 70%, 70%, and 62 percent, respectively, while the moisture content is 14%. For all three products, the content of fiber is 5% and ash is 3%.
Chips are often clean, white or almost white, free of mold and foreign objects caused by insects, and odorless. The recommended chip length is 4-5mm. It should be remembered that the export project will inevitably fail if the quality level is not upheld. As a result, it needs to be thoroughly thought out.
Packaging
Pellets are packaged in cotton sacks, multi-purpose paper bags, or clean jute bags; they should be uniform in size and shape, less delicate, and suitable for handling, storing, and transportation. To produce pellets, machinery for pelletizing is available. Prospective investors shouldn’t be concerned about quality control because the writer can help any investor succeed via years of experience.
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