NEPC Moves to Facilitate Export of Cashew, Rice Derivatives, Stem Rejection

James Emejo in Abuja

The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, has said the council remained committed to ensuring that the export of cashew and rice derivatives conformed with international requirements.

She said efforts were also being taken to ensure instances of export rejection were minimised considerably going forward.

Speaking at the opening of the NEPC/GIZ interactive session for cashew and rice value chain actors in Abuja, she said the engagement was particularly given that world trade in non-oil exportable products had become highly regulated, fundamentally because of safety, health, and environmental considerations.

Ayeni noted that exporters are hence required to conform to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), secure necessary certifications, and utilise appropriate documentation, and packaging which if not properly addressed, becomes technical barriers to trade.

She said Nigeria produced 5.4 million metric tons of milled rice and about 300,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts (RCN) in 2022, pointing out that the partnership with GIZ and the ensuing technical session will encourage value addition and change the narratives in repositioning the country from an exporter of raw products to high valued products.

Ayeni said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement with about 1.3 billion people presented enormous opportunities for Nigeria’s high-value rice and cashew products.

She said, “It will interest you to note that the rice we are seeing today is used to produce rice flakes, rice cereal, and rice flour among others. Predominantly, women play an active role in the rice sector, hence, a great opportunity to achieve inclusiveness in non-oil export.”

The NEPC chief executive further reiterated the council’s commitment to the project, noting that the continued partnership with GIZ-MOVE will ensure the successful delivery of the remaining components of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). She said, “There is no better time to drive the non-oil exports. This is our chance and we all together will work assiduously to promote non-oil exports from Nigeria to a greater height.”