In recent years Nigeria has increased its production of cocoa from 170,000 tonnes to 400,000 as a result of a government initiative. The programme was designed by the National Cocoa Development Committee and involved new plantings and the rehabilitation of old plantations.
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said world cocoa trade is worth about $30bn annually and has grown about 5% in the last three years. “Presently, Africa accounts for about 80% of the world cocoa exports with Cote d' Ivoire taking the lead, but since we embarked on the national cocoa rehabilitation programme, our production has increased at an average annual rate of about 18%.
“We have not only maintained 3rd position among African producers of cocoa, behind Cote de Ivoire and Ghana, we have also doubled our production of about 170,000 tonnes to about 400,000 tonnes in 2006. We expect to surpass the half million mark by 2008. By 2010, we aspire to be the 2nd largest producer nation in Africa. We have remained consistent to our commitment in driving policies and programmes aimed at boosting our very productive agricultural sector and diversifying our national economy, thus, reducing our dependancy on oil.”
In 2006 the focus was on increased local consumption of cocoa products in order to prevent a glut and consequent fall in local cocoa prices.
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