Agro Exports Crash 31% As Port Delays, Pesticides Trigger Global Rejections

***15 containers of hibiscus rejected in Mexico

***48-hour cargo clearance stretches to three weeks in Nigeria

Nigeria’s agricultural exports suffered a sharp 31.2 per cent decline in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1’26) as prolonged port delays, excessive pesticide application, outdated chemical preservatives and failure to obtain required phytosanitary certification combined to trigger increasing rejection of the country’s farm produce in international markets.

Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, showed that agricultural exports declined to N1.172 trillion in Q1’26 from N1.704 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The figure also represented an 11.39 per cent decline from N1.323 trillion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, Q4’26.

Agricultural value chain experts warn that systemic failures, worsened by poor post-harvest handling, are rapidly eroding the competitiveness of the ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ agro brand and threatening the country’s access to premium global markets.

The development comes amid mounting concerns over rising economic losses to exporters, with stakeholders calling for an urgent overhaul of grassroots farming practices, quality assurance systems and border logistics to stem the growing wave of export rejections.

The NBS data showed that the country’s top agricultural exports remained Superior Quality Cocoa Beans valued at N596.90 billion, Sesame Seeds worth N153.78 billion, Soya Beans (excluding seeds) at N129.27 billion, Cashew Nuts in Shell valued at N119.76 billion, and Flours and Meals of Soya Beans worth N53.20 billion.

Asia remained Nigeria’s biggest destination for agricultural exports, accounting for N529.45 billion, followed by Europe with N500.34 billion, while the Netherlands, Belgium, India and Canada also ranked among major export destinations.

The domestic decline mirrors a broader global push for stricter compliance with international food safety standards.

Opening the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva on July 6, 2026, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, Qu Dongyu, announced an additional USD500,000 allocation to strengthen digital infrastructure and capacity building for developing countries implementing international food safety standards.

The FAO chief warned that confidence in global food trade depends largely on effective implementation of food safety standards.

According to him, “Impact depends on implementation – without implementation these standards cannot achieve their intended benefits.”

Qu added that international food standards contribute far beyond food safety by helping countries build trust, reduce waste and create more competitive and equitable markets as they transform agrifood systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

Agric ministry laments

Confirming the gravity of the challenge at home, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, last month inaugurated a Technical Working Group to investigate the recurring rejection of Nigeria’s agricultural exports and submit its findings within two months.

According to the minister, Nigeria has over the years, recorded several cases of export rejection due to non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

He noted that repeated rejections have resulted in significant economic losses for stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

15 containers of zobo rejected

One of the most striking examples emerged during the 2026 SheExport Conference, where Founder of Women in Agribusiness, Trade and Export (WATEX), Dr. Queen Okpa, revealed that a shipment of 15 containers of Hibiscus flower (Zobo) was rejected at the Mexican border after laboratory tests detected residues of outdated chemical preservatives.

She stated: “A friend of mine had 15 containers of hibiscus turned back from Mexico last year because when they were tested, the whole shipment failed quality controls.

“The issue comes down to source and traceability. The preservatives used on that hibiscus were chemicals that have been banned for years in other countries.

“Many nations have strict policies and specifications regarding maximum allowable percentages of certain elements. If you exceed that limit, they will throw your products away or send you back with them. Our beans and rice have faced similar bans.”

Okpa further emphasized that lack of standardized post-harvest handling remains a critical loophole, particularly regarding high toxin levels in local commodities.

She said: “Data shows that the European Union allows a maximum aflatoxin level of just 4%, while the ECOWAS standard is 20%. Shockingly, recent tests on commodities in our local markets showed contamination levels between 65% and 95%.