Nigeria produces millions of tonnes of plantain each year, yet earns almost nothing from exports—just $49,327 in 2024 compared to Côte d’Ivoire’s $57.7 million. Despite being a staple that feeds millions, the crop remains underutilized as an export commodity.
Nigeria’s Plantain Paradox
Nigeria grows about 3 million metric tonnes of plantain annually, ranking among Africa’s top five producers. The crop is central to rural livelihoods and nutrition, consumed widely across the country and the West African region. However, in the $31.4 billion global plantain market, Nigeria’s footprint is negligible. While countries like Uganda, Cameroon, and Ghana capture significant domestic value, and exporters such as Ecuador and Guatemala dominate globally, Nigeria exports next to nothing.
According to Stanley Adimabua, president of the Banana and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria (BAPFAN), the country earns “almost zero revenue” from plantain exports despite its vast production potential. In 2024, Nigeria’s export revenue was a mere $49,327, accounting for less than one percent of Africa’s plantain export value.
Untapped Export Potential
Experts argue that Nigeria’s plantain industry could become a major foreign exchange earner if properly harnessed. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Development Council (RMRDC), highlighted that Nigeria produced 3.1 million tonnes in 2022, yet most of it was consumed domestically without value addition.
The biggest opportunity lies in processing. Plantain flour and chips are in high demand in the U.S., EU, and diaspora markets, but Nigeria produces only 25,200 metric tonnes of flour annually, against an estimated demand of 125,000 metric tonnes. This leaves a 99,800 metric tonne supply gap, signaling a huge investment case for agro-processing factories.
Challenges Holding Back Growth
- Post-harvest losses: Up to 30% of plantain harvests are wasted due to poor storage and handling infrastructure.
- Informal industry structure: Most plantain farming and trade remain unregulated, limiting scalability.
- Lack of investment: Few factories exist to process plantain into flour, chips, or industrial raw materials.
Adimabua stresses that proper organization and infrastructure could unlock millions of dollars in export revenue while reducing waste.
Nutritional and Industrial Value
Plantain is not only a staple food but also a versatile raw material. It can be eaten ripe, processed into flour for local meals like elubo, or used in industries producing baby foods, biscuits, bread, cakes, sanitary pads, and fabrics. Nutritionally, plantain is low in fat, high in fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, and beneficial for blood pressure and diabetes management.
Regional Production
Plantain grows year-round, with peak seasons between August and December. It thrives in 17 Nigerian states, particularly in the South-South and South-West regions. States like Oyo, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Taraba, Ekiti, Osun, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom account for over 60% of national production.
Byline
Written by Chinedu Okafor, African Agribusiness Correspondent