The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is setting its sights on a lofty goal – to elevate the value of cowpeas to a staggering $9.43 billion by the year 2028, up from $7.2 billion in 2023. This ambitious target was revealed by the Executive Director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, during a Technical Meeting on the World Trade Organisation/Standards and Trade Development Facility held in Abuja.
Ayeni also highlighted the potential growth in the global value of sesame exports and its value chain, which stood at $7.35 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $9.27 billion by 2032. Nigeria, she emphasized, holds a promising market opportunity for both cowpeas and sesame seeds.
Notably, Nigeria is a major player in the cowpeas market, being one of the largest producers globally. Despite this, the country also ranks high in terms of consumption, with an annual production of 5.2 million metric tonnes of dried cowpeas and a consumption rate of 3.6 million metric tonnes. Ayeni stressed the importance of enhancing the quality and standards of cowpeas and sesame to capitalize on this economic potential.
“This endeavor presents a unique chance to reshape the economic landscape of our nation, as it will not only improve the quality and standards of our agricultural products but also reduce rejections and boost the value and volume of cowpeas and sesame exported from Nigeria,” Ayeni remarked.
With a strategic focus on enhancing the value and marketability of these key agricultural commodities, NEPC is poised to drive significant growth in Nigeria’s export sector, paving the way for a more prosperous future.
