Ginger

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has embarked on a “market orientation mission’’ to The Netherlands and France with 17 Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the ginger value chain subsector.

The NEPC embarked on the mission in collaboration with The Netherlands-based Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI).

Nigeria ranks third in production of ginger at 31 million tonnes per annum, after India and China, but accounts for a paltry 3 per cent share of its global trade.

Head of Corporate Communications at the NEPC, Mr Ndubueze Okeke, stated in Abuja on Tuesday that the market orientation mission hinged on the Nigeria’s Sustainability Ginger Programme (NGSP 2021-2025).

He added that the five-year programme aimed at diversifying the ginger market through sustainability, improved quality, certification, organic production and refined processing.

“Ginger is in very high demand globally because of its natural and distinct pungency, aroma and oil content (oleoresin).

“It is the least priced due to quality issues caused by the dearth of critical infrastructure and cutting-edge technology for processing, thereby resulting in poor market penetration,’’ Okeke stated.

He quoted the Executive Director of the NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak as saying “it is for these reasons that the CBI is partnering with the NEPC to enhance the quality of the commodity.

“This is done through capacity building, market access programmes and consideration for the establishment of hubs in ginger cultivation, production, and processing for export in relevant states of the federation.

“Activities of the mission will include practical workshops on export market access, visits to prospective buyers of Nigerian spices in Rotterdam and participation in Food Ingredients Europe exhibition in Paris.’’