Cross River undertakes cocoa production expansion
- Beyond 58,000tonnes
Ben Eguzozie
Cross River, a major cocoa producing state, has kictstarted a renewed focus on cocoa production expansion within the state. To this end, its ministry of crops and irrigation development has set up the Draft 7-Year Strategic Development plan, the ministry announced.
With 58,000 tonnes annually, the littoral state is Nigeria’s second largest cocoa producer after Ondo State.
According to Johnson Ebokpo Jnr., “we are expanding focus on cocoa production in the state. We have made a strategic move to boost the agricultural sector beyond current efforts.”
He said the state was building a sustainable and profitable agricultural sector through a holistic approach—modernising farming techniques, promoting agribusiness, improving market access for farmers, and implementing inclusive growth policies.
The ministry urges all farmers in the state to actively participate in the ongoing registration process and take advantage of the support programs being offered.
Nigeria produces 340,000 tonnes of cocoa, which is far below Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire which jointly produce 60 percent of the world’s cocoa.
Nigeria’s cocoa sector is being hampered by numerous issues affecting productivity and market share. Poor government incentivization, coupled with farmers still grappling with outdated farming practices, limited access to quality seedlings, poor infrastructure, and a lack of sufficient investment in technology and innovation keep the country’s cocoa production below par.
The federal government of Nigeria said it plans to etch up the country’s cocoa production to 750,000 tonnes by 2032. However, this ambitious target hangs in a balance as alternative cocoa takes centre stage in chocolate’s evolution.
Amidst the global cocoa price surge in 2023 and 2024, and the gains made by cocoa producers, lurks a threat that could spell doom for cocoa farmers in top producers, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana as well as Nigeria. Chocolate manufacturers are beginning to turn their attention to alternative, non-cocoa ingredients, meaning the days of cocoa-based chocolate may be numbered as the prized commodity risks losing demand in the global market.
The cocoa market experienced its worst shortage in over six decades during the 2023-2024 marketing year, with production falling short of demand in the world’s leading cocoa-producing countries, according to data from the International Cocoa Organization (ICO) cited by ING in a research note.
Additionally, Nigeria faces compliance with new international regulations, such as the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which presents further obstacles for Nigerian cocoa farmers who are already struggling to meet export demands.