The value of agricultural goods exported in Q1 2025 rose to ₦1.70 trillion, up 64.65% year-on-year and 10.63% quarter-on-quarter, highlighting continued growth in the sector.
Standard and superior cocoa beans led the chart, contributing a combined ₦1.23 trillion, with major buyers being The Netherlands (₦344.17B) and Belgium (₦203.17B).
Cashew nuts in shell earned ₦157.63B, mostly exported to India (₦87.56B) and Vietnam (₦69.74B), while sesamum seeds brought in ₦128.18B.
Soya bean flours and ornamental flowers fetched ₦27B and ₦18B respectively, showing Nigeria's export mix is broadening.
Guinea-Bissau showed the highest agricultural contribution to its GDP at 36.8% in 2024.
Contributions range widely, with high reliance seen in Comoros (36.6%) and Ethiopia (34.9%), contrasting with lower percentages in DR Congo (17.1%) and Angola (16.4%).
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed a notable 20.4% to Nigeria's GDP in 2024.
Countries with high agricultural GDP contributions are predominantly located in West and East Africa.
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.