The European Union (EU), has urged Nigeria Government to increase export of agricultural produces like rubber, cocoa and palm oil to the EU countries.
The Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Michel Arrion, stated this at a press conference on commemorate the 40 years of EU-Nigeria partnership on Wednesday, in Abuja. Arrion said there were potential exports, which Nigeria could develop in commercial quantities for export, lamenting that such exports to the EU were currently in low quantities.
“There are potential exports like rubber for instance for tiles that you could certainly develop. We will be delighted to import and to buy more rubber from Nigeria; the problem is that the production is very small. We will be delighted to buy more cocoa from Nigeria. We are buying most of our cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, while not from Nigeria?” he said.

He challenged Nigeria to think of what it could produce in addition to its own consumption adding, Nigeria must meet its local demands before exporting.
He explained that Nigeria has a lot of possibilities in agricultural products but that it would take several years to really have an export-oriented commercial farming policy.
He also said that there was the need for the price of Nigerian products to be competitive.

“You (Nigeria) have to be competitive, I mentioned palm oil; I see a potential market for palm oil exportation from Nigeria to EU if the prices are competitive.
“Today, they are not. Malaysia for instance, offers more competitive price, so Nigeria has also to work on the competitiveness of the country’s products. He said there were several factors that contributed to competitiveness which included the costs of production, labour, land and energy, among others.

Yeah export the raw crops and import finished goods from this crops

asha80:
Yeah export the raw crops and import finished goods from this crops

They think they are slick.

LoveMachine:

They think they are slick.

you cant blame them when some of our people cant see through this

Amazing requisition from EU.

asha80:
you cant blame them when some of our people cant see through this

I'd be a fool for blaming a hyena for being a hyena. Likewise I won't blame the EU for attempting to take advantage as they always do. It's just what they do. But as Black Africans we must never go for the fool's gold.

What EU is practically saying is that we should increase our productions stops us from exporting both raw material and finished products.


Government should review its policies on Land. The rate at which farm lands are cleared for construction of bungalows is very high (this is actually an intrinsic factor to farmer/herdsmen clash). Those who have farm lands are disposing it for estate developments due to fear of government take over.

Very soon, the farm lands would be soo scares that GMO would be the best option.

May God give PMB the wisdom to lead right.

This will still put us in the same problem as crude oil. We should strive to export finished goods instead

From the surface, it looks as if they want to help us.
But l know they have ulterior motive.
Nothing goes for nothing so long as these white people are concerned, especially Europeans & Americans.

It won't happen overnight but Nigeria can do it

I'm puzzled at some comments here. I'm sure I read somewhere in the op where the EU representative said we need to meet our local needs first before exporting.

Thus is what diversifying the economy entails but who says we must import finished goods from these products? It is our responsibility to develop our manufacturing sector by encouraging local and international investors and ensure steady/sustainable supply of raw materials and energy so they don't want fold up or relocate like Michelin.

Why do I see people acting like there is an ulterior motive which amounts to compulsion to import finished products from these goods? Na by force?

Exporting both raw and finished goods is not reinventing the wheel, it is steady and ongoing practice which Nigeria must imbibe and lose the laziness incurred from exporting crude and importing petroleum products.

Functional inteligent leadership and meticulous planning can bring these and much more into existence. I don't see any potential in the leadership of this sector so far (much less the one who appointed said leadership) but we can always hope for a miracle!

asha80:
Yeah export the raw crops and import finished goods from this crops

They would actually prefer semi processed stuff like cocoa cake, cocoa butter, processed rubber. There is no other choice , we have to start the is way and then mature into greater value addee

Let's first fix our energy crisis then fabricate or import the right machinery to turn raw materials into finished goods,meet local demands and ship leftovers to the Whiteman land.

Are the EU saying Nigeria don't have the requisite to transform our raw material to finished goods,that we are being given directives to export our raw material in exchange of finished goods. We are currently exploring all means to be an exporter of finished goods and not an importer. Gratias!

Agriculture has been highly neglected by past governments. It's a pity because it's the best way out of this oil price slump

This is something we all know it will boast our economy but our lust for oil has made us too lazy to ignore what sustained us (agricultural sector) as a country before the oil discovery.