$18bn Expected from Cassava Export Annually, Says Industries Minister
The Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo, weekend said Nigeria will generate about $18 billion from export of 45 million metric tonnes of cassava products annually.
Adebayo said this when he played host to the Chief Executive Officer of BKG Exhibitions, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu.
According to the Minister, Nigeria was yet to take advantage of the fact that cassava products were needed so much outside the country.
He regretted that though Nigeria remains a world leader in cassava production, the country has not been an active player in cassava trade in the international market.
The Minister called for collaboration to improve on cassava trade in the international market.
According to him, “Cassava and oil palm are strategic commodities in our quest for growth and development of the non-oil sector of our economy. Available statistics point to the fact that Nigeria is a leading producer of cassava with a production capacity of 45 million metric tonnes per annum, estimated at about $18 billion.
“This accounts for a fifth of the world’s cassava production followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Ghana, Congo and others. However, though a world leader in cassava production, Nigeria is not an active player in cassava trade in the international market.”