FRUIT LOGISTICA 2027: FG RALLIES STAKEHOLDERS TO REPOSITION NIGERIA IN GLOBAL MARKET
The Federal Government has rallied stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to ensure Nigeria’s competitive and credible participation at Fruit Logistica 2027 in Berlin, Germany.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the call in Abuja at the Pre-Summit Meeting for Fruit Logistica 2027 held at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado.
He stated that Fruit Logistica is the world’s leading trade fair for the fresh produce industry, covering the entire value chain from seed to sale and noted that the fair attracts over 2,500 exhibitors from more than 90 countries and over 80,000 trade visitors annually, offering opportunities to showcase agricultural potential, secure export partnerships, attract investment and learn from global best practices.
Dr. Ogunbiyi disclosed that for three consecutive years, Nigeria’s participation was sustained through the sponsorship and organization of the national pavilion by ABG Paulus Limited, underscoring the importance of unified national branding in advancing agricultural trade.
He added that African peers such as Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Ghana have consistently maintained strong government-backed national pavilions, enabling them to secure long-term export contracts and expand their global footprint, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind.
In a statement issued by Ezeaja Ikemefuna,
Head, Department of Information at the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary noted that although agriculture contributes about 24 per cent to national GDP and employs over 30 per cent of the labour force, Nigeria’s share of global agricultural exports remains below 2 per cent, highlighting the urgency of leveraging platforms like Fruit Logistica.
He announced that Nigeria has been provisionally allocated a 120-square-metre National Pavilion at Fruit Logistica 2027 at a total cost of €145,000, subject to confirmation within the stipulated timeframe. According to him, the pavilion will serve as a unified platform for exporters, agribusinesses and government institutions to showcase products, engage international buyers and secure strategic partnerships.
Dr. Ogunbiyi identified commodities where Nigeria holds comparative advantage to include cocoa, valued at ₦154.3 billion in Q2 2026 and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s second-largest producer; cashew nuts at ₦268.6 billion; sesame seeds at ₦96 billion; and ginger, prized for its high gingerol content, which commands premium demand in nutraceutical and spice markets.
Other high-potential products, he said, include dried mango, pineapple and papaya, which are increasingly sought after for healthy snacking, alongside banana, dates, coconuts and citrus.
The Permanent Secretary described the Pre-Summit as a national engagement platform for exporters, investors, commodity associations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions and development partners to explore export development, market access, investment promotion, value addition and technology transfer.
He commended the organised private sector for mobilising businesses nationwide and called for support in creating awareness, mobilising export-ready enterprises and facilitating business-to-business linkages to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural export profile.
“This Pre-Summit is not merely a preparatory meeting; it is a launchpad for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation,” Ogunbiyi said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, ABG Paulus Limited, Mr. Ambrose Okojie, said Nigeria’s active participation at Fruit Logistica plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth by creating direct global trade linkages for agricultural products.
According to him, the initiative directly advances the President’s vision to diversify the economy, boost non-oil exports and elevate Nigerian produce on the world stage.
Okojie appealed to the Federal Government, Ministries, State Governments and key industry stakeholders across the public and private sectors to partner with and support Nigeria’s participation at Fruit Logistica 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director, Agribusiness and Market Development Department, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, said Nigeria’s agricultural sector is vast and resilient, contributing nearly a quarter of the nation’s GDP and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of households.
