Nigeria produces about 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions annually, ranking second in Africa behind Egypt, according to the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria.

The national president of the association, Alhaji Aliyu Isah, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, where he outlined the scale of production, trade flows, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the onion value chain.

“Nigeria currently produces about 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions annually, with a value of approximately ₦1.17 trillion,” Isah said.

He explained that onion production remains an important contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural output and rural livelihoods, with cultivation spread across multiple producing states and driven largely by smallholder farmers alongside commercial operators.

According to Isah, Nigeria is not only one of Africa’s largest producers but also an active supplier to markets across West and Central Africa, with exports extending to selected European destinations. He said the steady demand for Nigerian onions reflects both production volume and regional trade linkages built over time.

Isah said government support has played a role in sustaining production levels, particularly through access to improved seeds, fertiliser, and agrochemicals. He noted that such interventions have helped farmers manage input costs and stabilise output, even as producers continue to face challenges related to climate conditions, storage, and logistics.

He added that collaboration between the association and relevant ministries and agencies has expanded farmer training programmes, exposing growers to improved agricultural practices and post-harvest handling methods aimed at reducing losses.

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Beyond production, Isah said attention is being directed at trade and market access, especially the reduction of non-tariff barriers along regional corridors. He explained that movement restrictions, documentation challenges, and delays at border points have historically affected agricultural trade within the sub-region.

The association, he said, is working closely with customs authorities to improve trade facilitation and ensure smoother cross-border movement of onions and related products. Engagements with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council are also focused on lowering export costs and simplifying logistics for processed onion products.

Isah said partnerships with stakeholders in Ghana, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have contributed to improved cross-border trade, while also highlighting the need to expand onion processing facilities within Nigeria to enhance value addition and reduce post-harvest losses.

He noted that improved marketing strategies and export promotion will form a core part of the association’s agenda in 2026, alongside plans to scale production capacity and improve the welfare of members across the value chain.

“Strengthening the value chain will enhance farmer income and national revenue,” he said, adding that young Nigerians should view agriculture as a viable economic sector rather than solely a fallback option.

He said increased youth participation could introduce innovation, improve productivity, and strengthen long-term sustainability within the sector.

Isah, who also serves as President of the Regional Observatory Body of Onion in West and Central Africa, said the association remains the primary body representing onion farmers, marketers, processors, and exporters in Nigeria.

He said its objectives include boosting local production, expanding processing capacity, fostering international trade, and protecting the interests of stakeholders across the onion value chain.

Isah expressed optimism that with sustained policy support, infrastructure investment, and continued collaboration across the sector, Nigeria could further consolidate its position within Africa’s onion market in the coming years.

Meiza Nigeria