Despite volatility, Nigeria's kola nut production reached 188,700 tonnes in 2023, a 117.7% increase from the 1994-2006 average

Key Takeaways:

  • In 2023, Nigeria's kola nut production reached a peak of 188,703.54 tonnes.
  • Following a decline in production from 1994 to 2006, production rose dramatically from 2007 onwards.
  • Between 1997 and 2001, production was lowest, at only 82,000 tonnes.
  • The 2010s saw steady growth, fuelled by increased agricultural investment and possibly rising domestic or export demand.
  • The average production from 1994 to 2006 was 86,698.12 tonnes.

Over the past 60 years, Nigeria's kola nut industry has undergone significant changes in production output, while remaining the largest producer in the world. Beginning with 139,000 metric tonnes in 1961, production fell to historic lows of 82,000-95,000 tonnes between 1994 and 2006. The sector experienced severe volatility, most likely due to ageing trees, poor soil, pollination challenges, pests, and diseases during this period.

However, production increased to 100,000 tonnes in 2007 and 162,000 tonnes in 2009. The expansion continued into recent years, with production reaching 183,405 tonnes in 2022 and 188,704 tonnes in 2023. In addition, according to Neogric Limited, Nigeria's kola nuts are mostly imported by the United States, France, Spain, Mexico, India, Germany, the Netherlands, China, and Belgium for industries, including beverages, pharmaceuticals, and traditional medicine.

Source:

Food and Agriculture organization of the UN

Period:

1961-2023
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
Western Africa produces the largest share of cashew nuts in Africa, growing by nearly 2,443% since 1990
Key Takeaways:
  • Africa’s total cashew nut (in shell) production increased from 172,050 tonnes in 1961 to over 2.25 million tonnes in 2023, a growth of approximately 1,209%.
  • Western Africa has been the primary driver of this growth since the 1990s and now produces the largest share of cashew nuts in Africa.
  • Western Africa accounted for 84% of Africa’s total cashew nut production by 2023.
  • Middle Africa has maintained a minimal but consistent level of production.
  • Eastern Africa led production from the 1960s through the 1980s before being overtaken by Western Africa.
  • The most significant growth in Africa’s cashew production began in the 1990s.
  • Despite overall growth, cashew production in Africa has experienced periodic fluctuations.
  • Mostly due to their climate conditions, Southern and Northern Africa regions are less favourable for cashew production than other African regions.
62 years of beer production: United States' 41-year rule and China’s overtake
  • The US led global barley beer output for 41 straight years (1961–2001).
  • China has topped production every year since 2002—21 years and counting.
  • The US produced 1.28 billion tonnes in 62 years—about 3.88 trillion bottles of 33cl beer.
  • Nigeria rose from 53rd place in 1961 to 13th in 2014, before sliding to 22nd by 2022.
  • Global beer leadership now reflects shifts in demand from Western to Asian markets.
  • Beer output trends mirror broader changes in economic power and population growth.
South Africa's wine production peaked at 1.15 million tonnes in 2014, while being Africa’s major wine producer for 48 years
Key Takeaways:
  • South Africa has been the leading wine producer in Africa from 1975 to 2022.
  • Algeria was the top producer from 1961 to 1974 but saw a significant decline in output in later years.
  • South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia have been the dominant wine-producing countries in Africa between 1961 and 2022.
  • On average, eight African countries have engaged in wine production annually during this period.
  • Sub-Saharan nations such as Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Tanzania have contributed small but steady wine to Africa’s production in recent decades.
  • Egypt has consistently ranked among Africa’s top wine producers, with its highest production recorded in 2008.
The former Sudan led Africa’s sesame seed oil production for 48 years, with the largest volume of 69,300 tonnes produced in 2009
Key Takeaways:
  • The former Sudan was the leading sesame seed oil producer in Africa for 48 years, from 1961 to 2011.
  • Nigeria topped Africa’s production rankings between 2012–2014 and 2016–2018.
  • The Central African Republic led sesame oil production in Africa for five years in a recent period.
  • East African countries, particularly Tanzania and Uganda, have seen significant growth in sesame oil production since the 1990s.
  • Six countries—Former Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic—have consistently played leading roles in Africa’s sesame seed oil production from 1961 to 1981 before the inclusion of some other African countries.
  • Following their separation, both Sudan and South Sudan have remained among the top sesame oil producers in Africa.
  • The top producers of sesame seed oil in Africa are mainly from Sub-Sahara African countries.
  • In SSA, sesame is often grown by small-scale farmers for export purposes.
Just 10 countries got over 75% of public sector funding for agriculture since 1991 — the US alone took nearly 23%
  • Global public agriculture funding between 1991 and 2023 totaled $878 trillion.
  • The U.S. alone received $199 trillion, averaging $6.2 trillion per year — the highest of any country.
  • Japan and China followed with $166 trillion and $122 trillion respectively.
  • Just 10 countries accounted for over 75% of the total.
  • Nigeria ranked 41st out of 145 countries, with only $1 trillion in 32 years — about $32 billion per year.
  • For a country with over 200 million people, that low level of investment tracks closely with rising food prices, low yields, and import dependence.
Nigeria’s sesame oil production in 2012 was 7,247.6% higher than in 2009, but it declined by 82.7% in 2022
Key takeaways:
  • Nigeria’s sesame oil production grew from 6,800 tonnes in 1985 to 30,548 tonnes in 2022, marking a 349% increase over the period.
  • The highest production level was recorded in 2012, reaching 176,342 tonnes, more than 25 times the 1985 output.
  • Between 1985 and 1995, production steadily increased from 6,800 to 12,000 tonnes.
  • From 1996 to 2003, production plateaued at 8,000 tonnes before declining sharply to 2,400 tonnes in 2009.
  • A significant recovery began in 2010, with production rising to 6,124 tonnes, followed by a near tenfold surge to 22,148 tonnes in 2011.
  • After the 2012 peak, production fluctuated significantly but remained substantially higher than pre-2010 levels.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved