Sourcing, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, involves obtaining goods or services from a specific origin. Understanding the best sourcing locations is crucial for crop sellers to procure high-quality cocoa at competitive prices when fulfilling orders on the Zowasel Marketplace.
Cocoa production plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to foreign exchange earnings. The primary cocoa-producing states in Nigeria include Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Delta, Edo, Cross Rivers, and Akwa Ibom. Since the introduction of cocoa to Nigeria, it has become a key export crop for the country.
Nigeria ranks as the third largest cocoa producer in Africa, accounting for approximately 12% of global production, Currently, Nigeria’s cocoa production capacity is around 340,000 metric tons. This places Nigeria as the fourth-highest cocoa producer globally, following Ivory Coast, Indonesia, and Ghana.
Friday Attah Agbo, Zowasel’s Head Agronomist for Southern Nigeria and a cocoa sourcing specialist who works closely with farmers, to identify the top 5 locations for sourcing cocoa in Nigeria. The recommended states are listed below with based on their annual cocoa production:
ONDO STATE
Ondo State stands out as the largest cocoa producer in Nigeria, located in the southwestern region of the country. It boasts a significant cocoa output capacity, with smallholder farmers predominantly speaking Yoruba and men playing a prominent role in production. Villages like Bamikemo, Bomodeoku, Ondo West, and Idanre host Farmer Cooperative societies where cocoa beans can be sourced.
Zowasel established remote crop centres across Idanre and Bamikemo communities in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria, to enhance the cocoa value chain and provide support to farmers beyond mere certification.
CROSS RIVER STATE
Following Ondo State, Cross River State ranks as the second-largest cocoa-producing region in Nigeria. Situated in the Southsouth region, also known as the Niger Delta region, more than half of the state’s local government areas engage in cocoa production. Zowasel has set up 4 remote crop centres in Cross River for cocoa sourcing, quality testing, and financial inclusion services. These centres, located in Biase, Yakurr, Obubra, and Ikom local government areas, also contribute significantly to the country’s oil palm production.
OYO STATE
Oyo State, located in the Southwest, is renowned for its cocoa production, which plays a pivotal role in the state’s economy. Cocoa plantations are widespread across various local government areas in the state, with smallholder farmers also cultivating cash crops like cashews, citrus fruits, and others to sustain their livelihoods.
OSUN STATE
As the third-largest cocoa-producing state in southwestern Nigeria, Osun State is notable for its Cocoa Processing Plant, which processes the state’s entire cocoa production, estimated at over 70,000 tonnes. In addition to cocoa, Osun produces crops such as cassava, millet, maize, beans, palm oil, and Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), contributing significantly to the state’s agricultural sector.
AKWA IBOM STATE
Communities in Akwa Ibom, such as Ikot-Eduek in Ikono LGA, have propelled the state into the ranks of top cocoa-producing regions in Nigeria. In 2021, the state government distributed over 500,000 improved cocoa seedlings across various local government areas and trained 450 youths on cocoa maintenance to boost commercial cocoa output in the region.
Zowasel’s remote crop centres serve as a comprehensive infrastructure connecting farmers to the Zowasel marketplace, providing access to improved farm inputs, financial services, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), free Agronomy Services, and direct market access for farmers to sell their crops and improve their livelihoods. These centres are strategically located across different geographical regions in Nigeria.
For inquiries or more information, please contact us via email at marketplace@zowasel.com or WhatsApp at +234 702 506 5664, or call 02013424403 to learn more about the Zowasel Marketplace.
