Citrus fruit market in Nigeria

Earlier Report Observations

The Nigerian citrus fruit market grew from 8 244 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 8 496 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was driven by increased demand from the fruit juice industry, notably Rite Foods' addition of two new production lines to meet rising consumption. Concurrently, research by the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) on selecting suitable rootstocks aimed to improve citrus yields and supply. In 2020, the sale of GlaxoSmithKline's Lucozade and Ribena brands to Suntory Beverage & Food Limited signaled market consolidation and the entry of a foreign player, potentially stimulating further activity in the sector.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume contracted to 8 366 thousand tonnes in 2021 before a gradual recovery to 8 424 thousand tonnes by 2023. This period reflected a stabilization after the earlier growth phase, with no single dominant driver significantly altering the market's trajectory in these years.

In 2024, ongoing structural developments included the near-completion of the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ogun State, which is poised to enhance export logistics for agricultural goods. Consumer preferences continued to shift towards healthier, natural fruit juice products, sustaining underlying demand for citrus fruit as a raw material.

Production citrus fruit in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria consistently ranked 9th globally in citrus fruit production volume.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Nigeria grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 8 491 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports citrus fruit from Nigeria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a ninefold difference between these years. In 2020, Nigeria exported 13 tonnes of citrus fruit, representing a dramatic 81.7% year-over-year decline. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 72 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 802.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, India, and the Netherlands formed the core group of partners for Nigeria's citrus fruit exports by volume. South Africa accounted for 51.5% of exports, India for 25.8%, and the Netherlands for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 91.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a seventeenfold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of citrus fruit exports from Nigeria stood at 13 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt 80.9% year-over-year decline. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 67 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 1 577.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, India, and the Netherlands remained the key partners for Nigeria's citrus fruit exports by value. South Africa's share was 53.0%, India's was 27.0%, and the Netherlands' was 15.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 95.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

Citrus fruit imports into Nigeria grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 696 tonnes, showing a sharp 44.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 303.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 59.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Nigeria's citrus fruit imports by volume, accounting for 82.1% of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role in the import structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Citrus fruit shipments into Nigeria from abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import value reached 3 938 thousand US dollars, marking a 40.5% uptick over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 233.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 49.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the key supplier of citrus fruit to Nigeria, capturing 78.1% of total imports by value. A diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2017-2020