Export gurus in the making.

Tnx for ur words of encouragement..we shall all get to d promise land some day

ceasare: @lizu: good work you are doing here.hope u r not going to sell any scrappy manual at d end of d day cos thats d norms wth all dis export business messiahs they abound online and on d business section of nairaland( i want to bliv u r not 1) dont mind my sceptism as your suspense filled response is always d cheapest luring trucks used by manual marketers(my thoughts though).that you ve given some insightful details regarding d biz shows some level of sincerity on your part(we are still watching though) as most nigerians will definitely not want to show there brother where they r making small change,nigeria in diaspora are not excluded if you knw what i meant.more power to your elbow as dis thread makes one of d best thread on nairaland.
Pls keep d suspense low and break d steps as simple as possible before d thread lost steam and been derailed..i knw what am saying.

Cheers.

@lizy we re stil following o plz giv us update. Am a student nd I dnt bliv in workin unda som1..luv 2 earn ma moni wif ma sweat nt som1 payin me 1 scrab @ d end of d month. God bless u 4 dis

Like how much can somebody start with? Also those of close close to Abuja, can we transport via Abuja airport?

Amen my brother God bless you too..all is well

andrizzy1: @lizy we re stil following o plz giv us update. Am a student nd I dnt bliv in workin unda som1..luv 2 earn ma moni wif ma sweat nt som1 payin me 1 scrab @ d end of d month. God bless u 4 dis

@OP,
Are these certification agencies available in every state of the federation or just in Lagos alone?
Secondly, can I export from any of the five international airports in Nigeria?
What happens if I can easily source ''exportable'' products but live in a state that has no local airport/int'l airport?
Lastly, can you clarify this offer letter thing?

@Lizu....

I asked earlier what the requirements are for UPS to send my stuff to Russia if it's gonna be 100kg upwards and I don't mind if it's gonna be splited. And things I send range from cosmetics, hair extensions, foodstuff like ogbono,plantain,yam,egusi,garri,palm oil etc, beverages and the likes. I'll really appreciate to know how I can go about it!

Thanks in antticipation!

Op, I have been following this post since it was created, while u have raised my hope in following you, I am beginning to think if I have nt been wasting my time. Or u just derive pleasure in keeping us in suspense till eternity

Nice trade.
In international trading the term SCO and FCO are used not offer letter with SCO standing for Soft Corporate Offer while FCO stands for Full Corporate Offer.

So where are the free articles! Nice thread though. Just beginning to have a niggling feeling Ȋ̝̊̅̄ might have just been wasting my data plan? Ȋ̝̊̅̄ hope Ωǿτ̅ sha. Please prove ♍ε̲̣̣̣̥ wrong. Thanks & waiting.

Bro.....how long?

The agro export business has been a lucrative one to venture in. The opportunities are broad as one can fit in any of the value chains including the packaging and processing aspect of it.
Over the years, I have written article and helped thousands of people start up and fit in any of the opportunities.
There contract sourcing agents, product sourcing agents, full time exporters, armchair, middlemen, export brokers, trainners, export preparation, plan and feasibility specilaist and lots of them.

pls sir can u give me ur contact so we can talk better for clarification.uobimba@yahoo.com

Pls an interested on this biz.

@op from my assessment, i observed that you know the biz. I mean no insult pls, people start doubting if there is any free article. It will do us all good if the FREE article is released this morning (after 5 days) people would then ask for clarification. Deep down in you, you may mean well, but you need to prove to the us-followers. From the begining of this thread to this point, it is not detailed enough for any good bizman to invest in. Pls. do something before the thread is filled with ASUU, BB Charger or Akpos matter.

Tnx 4 dat, d w8 is getin borin.

Op pls I stay in ogbomosho and I jus got interested in cashew seed export.do u av any link or any help watsoeva

@OP aka LISU, kindly send me your email or skype address. I wud like to get to you briefly. Thanks

Thanks for releasing it at last, forgive us as we have pardoned your delay

smith_sydny: my broda man dis is d business I want to do..I've been to nacho at mmia..too get accurate info about dis..the story long oo..but let me share the little I got..I went too we're dey package ugu leaves they are fresh nd big sizes..now I some in turkish airline he said
1) who have too get registerd for the busines..dats some cash too u hv too be legal to avoid dis one complain or the other..
2) if ur sending perishable goods u shld know how long it will last..
3) if ur starting u hv too start small not wit goods of large quantity so it can be sold on time nd fast..
4) the major problem..getting a trusted buyer from wch ever country ur sending too to avoid had I know..
5) if ur merging wit some one in business while u are not registerd wit them its risky too and not just risky if not careful they mit put drugs in ur goods nd na heavy casala oo..I saw how the goods we're been inspected at nacho export..any can just take a day nd go ther see for urselfs den cum back nd help us wit fit back..
Am hustling for pay too start mine..God has helpd me my frnd dat lives in uk gave me contact too buyers over ther so I hv to arrange wit my bank to get it legal ..its lucrative business I must say..plz more experience share wit us oo..this was my find..

@op... please how do one prevent drugs being added to your goods o !

Hello house!

I've followed the thread for a while.

"Export of Foodstuffs, Agro commodities, etc"

Here's my personal opinion based on my personal experience and observation in the business.

Export: is expanding your goods/services to the International Market. That is; you want to establish links Globally.

The first thing to master is "your product"

Product Knowledge:

Do you really know and understand your products very well?

I agree that Nigerians in diaspora need certain food items, But are you aware that the packaging and product specification required to bring food items to the UK and US is completely different from how we handle and package our food items here?

** Is Your Product "Perishable or Non-Perishable?**

Experienced exporters try to put some measures in place especially when you export perishable commodities to foreign countries.

**Ask Yourself tough questions**
Do I want Profit and Regular Income?

If your main goal is profit and not just the prestige that comes with being an exporter, Some of those food items would make you more profits if you sell them locally. - " My Opinion based on experience"
While some would make you more money exporting them. It's all about thinking.

Yam for example: Few people can do the "hard work" required to make it work because it requires hardwork to meet up with the standards by the UK GOVT for bringing food items into their country.

The specifications varies from buyer to buyer.

Generally exportable yam should have the following characteristics.
Diameter- 3.5-4.5cm, Length- 15-40cm, No hair (No fibers), No fingers (branches)Very smooth body with no sand (if at all it should be very minimal)
No injury (if at all it should be very
minimal)
Not too big (enough for a family to
eat at once)
This is one of the specifications and it varies
.
"If you cannot meet up with this specification for example, don't send your products" if you can meet up, you may go ahead.

"Also if you do not know the measures to protect your product quality from Nigeria to your country of destination, keep your money or sell Locally"

This rule must be followed for all perishable products.

* Do you have a Buyer yet or How do you Intend getting one?
You must thread carefully here.
Negotiate a good deal.

* What form of payment is the Buyer offering?
There are different forms of payment and you need to be skillful in choosing the best form.

If you're not very sure of your product, never sell it.

Meanwhile, when you sell to the Local Markets, you make your money within a week and turn it over. Your N50,000 is just okay to do this locally rather than trade in export (with the hope of making the so-called millions with N50,000)
The specifications for local market is very easy to meet up. (No special rule) as long as you buy at the right source.

Think Deep!

However, if you want to go into export business, just know these:

1. Export is a real business and must be mastered. Take enough time to master it. "If You rush into it without thorough preparation, you will soon rush out"

2. My personal advice is that "Don't, Never rush into it without proper knowledge, adequate information of the Processes Involved and preparation"
The necessary regulations that applies to your export product.

3. Also, there is a major difference between what you hear by anyone and what is actually happening in this export business.

4. Export business also requires you to learn how to master details. As in pay attention to details" There's nothing called insignificant details in export. All the details matters a lot. (It's a business of details)

5. Accept that nothing is free! Whether you want to sell Agro-commodities locally or export, real work, effort and money is required.

6. If you will get any training at all, get Hands-on training/mentoring/field experience. This is by far the best form of training you can get.

The manuals and countless talk or gist only can only give you an introduction to this business....

7. Start your export career with "Non-Perishable" Exportable Products.
You must be very sure of how to maintain the quality of your products till it gets to the final destination.

8. You must ask questions and query everything that is against 'common sense"
If any export offer sounds too good to be true and too easy to do, Run!

That's my candid opinion anyway and it's based on my experience of several years in the business.

There is a lot to learn.

I love to improve too!
So I'm open for honest Corrections, Contribution and Questions.

Enjoy!

Hello!If i may suggest,while nt publish ur article,then whoeva has a questn'll den ask.Dis'll make tins clearer and also allow u 2 respond 2 evrybdy.I noticed som questns are no longer answd.Again,it'll help maintain d steam d thread carries.Pls don'nt allow following dis thread 2 get boring.Tanx 4 d gud wk!

lizu: @ chidonsky..yes you can, infact these are the major things people export in bit quantity, they are packaged with small amount of money here and according to specifications by the buyers..for example yams are sold at the rate of 130 - 150usd per pallet in the united states ( a pallet contains about 40tubers and it weighs about 25kg), therefor the export price per tuber will be 3.25 - 3.75usd per tuber and the local price ranges from 100 - 200 naira that means the return on investment is about 61.4percent

What quantity is required to be shipped? As in, how much in quantity can one supply? Then, how do you get your buyers?

lizu: @ chidonsky..yes you can, infact these are the major things people export in bit quantity, they are packaged with small amount of money here and according to specifications by the buyers..for example yams are sold at the rate of 130 - 150usd per pallet in the united states ( a pallet contains about 40tubers and it weighs about 25kg), therefor the export price per tuber will be 3.25 - 3.75usd per tuber and the local price ranges from 100 - 200 naira that means the return on investment is about 61.4percent

What quantity is required to be shipped? As in, how much in quantity can one supply? Then, how do you get your buyers? ......

Hi everyone in the house...am sorry to have delayed a bit, but please i will like to make something very clear here, i really and truely understand why some people are getting furious about thing whole, that has been our ways in nigeria, we all want to learn things very fast and at the end we dont get to make or achieve our goals..please i will like everyone here to know export business is not what you can get to understand and know about at a snap of the fingers..so we dont get our fingers burnt...so please this si a forum...we all have different opinions , so any one can leave if he or she wishes...but i want us to know that a single tree cant make a forest...because someone is the op doesnt mean he does not learn new things everyday...so am sorry if you feel have delayed you in a way..

I will commend the guys that have been contributing their own ideas too in the house we are all going to be successful at the end.. thanks so much
if the already exporters in the house understands all am trying to say about the business, you will surely let people newbies know that its a step after another..so please all hands should on deck as we drive on.. Thanks once again.

This is very lovely....thanks for this contribution

xsey: Hello house!

I've followed the thread for a while.

"Export of Foodstuffs, Agro commodities, etc"

Here's my personal opinion based on my personal experience and observation in the business.

Export: is expanding your goods/services to the International Market. That is; you want to establish links Globally.

The first thing to master is "your product"

Product Knowledge:

Do you really know and understand your products very well?

I agree that Nigerians in diaspora need certain food items, But are you aware that the packaging and product specification required to bring food items to the UK and US is completely different from how we handle and package our food items here?

** Is Your Product "Perishable or Non-Perishable?**

Experienced exporters try to put some measures in place especially when you export perishable commodities to foreign countries.

**Ask Yourself tough questions**
Do I want Profit and Regular Income?

If your main goal is profit and not just the prestige that comes with being an exporter, Some of those food items would make you more profits if you sell them locally. - " My Opinion based on experience"
While some would make you more money exporting them. It's all about thinking.

Yam for example: Few people can do the "hard work" required to make it work because it requires hardwork to meet up with the standards by the UK GOVT for bringing food items into their country.

The specifications varies from buyer to buyer.

Generally exportable yam should have the following characteristics.
Diameter- 3.5-4.5cm, Length- 15-40cm, No hair (No fibers), No fingers (branches)Very smooth body with no sand (if at all it should be very minimal)
No injury (if at all it should be very
minimal)
Not too big (enough for a family to
eat at once)
This is one of the specifications and it varies
.
"If you cannot meet up with this specification for example, don't send your products" if you can meet up, you may go ahead.

"Also if you do not know the measures to protect your product quality from Nigeria to your country of destination, keep your money or sell Locally"

This rule must be followed for all perishable products.

* Do you have a Buyer yet or How do you Intend getting one?
You must thread carefully here.
Negotiate a good deal.

* What form of payment is the Buyer offering?
There are different forms of payment and you need to be skillful in choosing the best form.

If you're not very sure of your product, never sell it.

Meanwhile, when you sell to the Local Markets, you make your money within a week and turn it over. Your N50,000 is just okay to do this locally rather than trade in export (with the hope of making the so-called millions with N50,000)
The specifications for local market is very easy to meet up. (No special rule) as long as you buy at the right source.

Think Deep!

However, if you want to go into export business, just know these:

1. Export is a real business and must be mastered. Take enough time to master it. "If You rush into it without thorough preparation, you will soon rush out"

2. My personal advice is that "Don't, Never rush into it without proper knowledge, adequate information of the Processes Involved and preparation"
The necessary regulations that applies to your export product.

3. Also, there is a major difference between what you hear by anyone and what is actually happening in this export business.

4. Export business also requires you to learn how to master details. As in pay attention to details" There's nothing called insignificant details in export. All the details matters a lot. (It's a business of details)

5. Accept that nothing is free! Whether you want to sell Agro-commodities locally or export, real work, effort and money is required.

6. If you will get any training at all, get Hands-on training/mentoring/field experience. This is by far the best form of training you can get.

The manuals and countless talk or gist only can only give you an introduction to this business....

7. Start your export career with "Non-Perishable" Exportable Products.
You must be very sure of how to maintain the quality of your products till it gets to the final destination.

8. You must ask questions and query everything that is against 'common sense"
If any export offer sounds too good to be true and too easy to do, Run!

That's my candid opinion anyway and it's based on my experience of several years in the business.

There is a lot to learn.

I love to improve too!
So I'm open for honest Corrections, Contribution and Questions.

Enjoy!

Lets start with this....

In Nigeria, when people hear of export business, what comes to the mind is the business is for the rich people, i.e the millionaires and the billionaires.. but with God and researches, people have been able to deduce some hidden truth about the business. If you are willing to know these hidden facts about how thaousandnaires too can do this business, lets fasten our seat belts and take a ride together because one tree can not make a forest.
Do you know that we have over 400 different types of exportable products in this country that can be done in small scale and you earn yourself good money.

LIST OF FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE EXPORTABLE IN NIGERIA..

Generally, food items are done in small scale because of the perishable quality they have, though there are some that can also be done on a large scale e.g cocoa, charcoal, cashew nut, soya beans, coffe, cotton, groundnut.

-Random Identification of list of different items..
Garri(cassava granular), melon, yam tuber, palmoil, ogbono seed(etima seed), sweet potatoe, ginger, garlic, crayfish, ugwu vegetable(pumpkin leaf), pine apple, smoked catfish, tumeric, snail, beans, bean flour, yam flour, iru(locust bean), plantain, cotton seed, okro, dry fish, ewuro(bitter leaf), cocoa yam, dabinu(daites pam), honey, plantain four, fufu(cooked), wet processed pap, paradise seed(aligator pepper), peanuts, cashew nut, cocoa butter, bitter kola, zobo leaf(hibiscussflower), shear butter, wall nut, pine apple, palm iol, perry winkle (isan), indomie, ccucmber, carrot, maggi, onions, ofada rice, chilly pepper, banana e.t.c

Food Item Proper Identification..
Proper identification is described as an act of the exporter describing the very condition of his or her product on the offer letter to the buyerfor him or her to have an idea of what the seller i.e the exporter is exporting to him or her so as to enable him to decide wether that is how he or she wants it or not.

i see you are one of the very people that have been following from the beginning, please lets just take things gradually okay...we will get there.

Kamkamdd: Hello!If i may suggest,while nt publish ur article,then whoeva has a questn'll den ask.Dis'll make tins clearer and also allow u 2 respond 2 evrybdy.I noticed som questns are no longer answd.Again,it'll help maintain d steam d thread carries.Pls don'nt allow following dis thread 2 get boring.Tanx 4 d gud wk!

Nice, pls if some has a company and a little capital and wants to start exporting agricultural produce, where can one start and what is the payment going to be like from the buyer

Idea of Proper Identification/description.

Lets use a sweet potatoe as a case study..

when you are describing this, these are the points you give...i mean you are to tell the exact way the product is looking to the buyer.

1.unwashed, unpilled, 0.001bruised, 0.01 hairy body, 35gms/one

2.how you will like to package it( this is mostly done by weight i.e kilogram)

3.Then how it will be delivered

FOOD ITEMS PRODUCT SELECTION FOR EXPORT

Factors To Consider When Selecting Products to Find Foreign Buyers For;

1. Factor of finance;
This is the number factor here, because it determines everything. so you as an exported have to know how much you have before getting into any transaction and i beleive this is done in all businesses.

2. Factor of availability of product in the local market;
I personally dont advice people to just go any product, you make your findings properly and get to know what people want before choosing a product.

3. Factor of Location of the product;
It is adviceable to always go for things you can get easily withing your reach, because there are sometimes the buyers want more, but for example you are sourcing for a particular product that is very far from where you are, and that same product is urgently needed, i am sure it might be very hard for such seller to deliver on time and you know what that means to the business.

4. Factor of packaging;
This has to be considered as well, because all these sums up to determine the selling price, so if you are using things that are too expensive, then that might raise your prices too high for the buyer and you knwo what that means...you are already creating an option for the buyer...
NB...in export business,you dont guess your profit makings..its been calculated right from the start of the business...so every penny you spend must be documented, so you can do your calculations at the end to give your selling price...we will talk more on that later.

5. Factor of local and international prices;
This actually speaks about currency exchange..you can determine where to sell your product to at a time..i.e where you want to find buyers to, so you can earn better money.


I will like us to digest all these today and the house should discus on these...questions and critics are welcome....

we will continue from here tomorow.

U re welkom op and hw was ur 9t . Question Pls op can one export bitter kola . Regards