Nigeria remains one of the top producers of cocoa globally. It is commonly ranked as the fourth-largest cocoa-producing country, after Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Indonesia. This status gives Nigeria a critical role in meeting global demand for cocoa beans.
For exporters, sourcing from the right states means access to better quality, more consistent yields, and proximity to infrastructure. States differ in climate, soil type, rainfall, and historical farming practices, all of which directly affect bean quality, flavor profile, and export readiness. Choosing the best state to source cocoa is not just a matter of quantity, but one of quality, logistics, and long-term reliability.
Why Sourcing Location Matters in Cocoa Export
Where you source your cocoa affects multiple aspects of export success:
- Quality: States with favorable rainforest climates (stable rainfall, good soil) tend to produce beans with better flavor, fewer defects, and better fermentation traits.
- Logistics: Sourcing close to ports or in states with better roads, warehousing, and haulage infrastructure reduces transport cost and time, and limits damage or spoilage during transport.
- Pricing & Consistency: States that produce reliably year after year tend to attract better prices because exporters and importers trust them more. Erratic output or frequent quality issues usually bring down buyer confidence and willingness to pay a premium.
- Cost of doing business: Different states have different local conditions; availability of labour, farm inputs, state-level regulations, and access to farmer cooperatives, that can increase or reduce hidden costs.
By sourcing from established cocoa states that combine quality, infrastructure, and reliability, exporters can safeguard both profit margins and their reputation.
Overview of Cocoa-Producing Regions in Nigeria
Cocoa in Nigeria is predominantly grown in the southwestern and south-south zones. These regions include states like Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti (southwest) and Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Edo (south-south).
According to recent data, roughly 60% of Nigeria’s cocoa output comes from the southwestern states, led by Ondo State, with Cross River and other south-south states contributing a significant portion of the rest.
This distribution is shaped by climate (rainforest zone), soil fertility, rainfall patterns, and historical farming culture. Some states, though not top in volume, are known for superior bean quality, better fermentation practices, or more consistent output.
Ondo State
Ondo State is widely acknowledged as the leading cocoa-producing state in Nigeria. It produces approximately 77,000 metric tons of cocoa annually, making it the top contributor to the nation’s output.
Major producing local government areas (LGAs): These include Owo, Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, and Odigbo. These LGAs contain many smallholder farms with cocoa production as their major cash crop.
Key facts about Ondo State’s cocoa:
- Farm size and operations: Most cocoa farming is conducted by smallholder farmers, many with plots under 5 hectares. There are also sharecropping arrangements and inherited farms.
- Export history and infrastructure: Ondo’s historical reputation for cocoa farming has attracted attention from exporters. The state’s geography, with fertile rainforest soil, adequate rainfall, and its long-standing traditions in cocoa cultivation give it an advantage in producing beans that meet international export standards.
- Challenges and opportunities: While Ondo leads in quantity, there are still challenges like price fluctuations for farmers, occasional outbreaks of pest or disease (like black pod), and logistical issues particularly in remote LGAs. However, these are partly offset by strong farmer networks and cooperative societies which help with aggregation, quality checks, and liaising with exporters.
Cross River State
Cross River has emerged as Nigeria’s second-largest cocoa producer, with volumes steadily growing thanks to government support and private investment. It is estimated to produce about 67,000 metric tons annually, making it a key hub after Ondo.
- Government support: Cross River State has actively encouraged cocoa farming through plantation development, improved seedling distribution, and farmer training programs. This has made the state a frontier for expansion.
- Increasing plantations: Unlike Ondo, where farming is largely smallholder-driven, Cross River has seen more large-scale plantations in areas like Ikom, Boki, Etung, and Obubra.
- Emerging export hub: Its proximity to the Calabar Port offers exporters a logistics advantage, especially compared to inland southwestern states. This makes it attractive for companies seeking efficiency in haulage and export readiness.
Cross River’s combination of expanding plantations, government backing, and port access positions it as one of the most promising cocoa-export hubs in Nigeria.
Osun State
Osun State is one of the traditional cocoa-producing states in the southwest, with cocoa cultivation deeply tied to its history. Although its volumes are smaller than Ondo and Cross River, Osun is respected for its bean quality and strong farmer cooperative systems.
- Heritage of cocoa: Cocoa farming has been practiced for decades in Osun, making it one of the pillars of the state’s agricultural economy.
- Post-harvest practices: Farmers in Osun are known for careful fermentation and drying methods, which enhance flavor quality and reduce defects.
- Farmer cooperatives: Osun has well-established farmer groups that help pool produce, maintain grading standards, and make beans more accessible to exporters.
This consistency in quality and collective farmer effort makes Osun a reliable sourcing destination for exporters targeting quality-conscious buyers.
Ekiti State
Ekiti State contributes less to the national cocoa basket compared to Ondo or Cross River, but its beans are valued for their premium quality.
- Focus on premium beans: Farmers in Ekiti often emphasize quality over quantity, producing well-fermented beans with distinct flavor profiles.
- Farmer cooperatives: Smallholder networks and cooperatives in Ekiti have been instrumental in sustaining quality practices and ensuring that cocoa from the state meets international standards.
- Export potential: While total volume is lower, exporters seeking premium buyers, such as chocolate makers in Europe and Asia, may find Ekiti cocoa attractive for niche, high-value markets.
Ogun State
Ogun State produces smaller volumes of cocoa compared to Ondo, Cross River, or Osun, but its strategic advantage lies in proximity to Lagos, the largest export hub in Nigeria.
- Ease of logistics: Ogun’s closeness to Lagos ports reduces transport time and costs, making cocoa from the state easier and cheaper to move into the export pipeline.
- Smaller volumes, strong export value: While the volume may not be the highest, Ogun’s cocoa often finds its way quickly to international buyers due to efficient logistics.
- Market access: Exporters sourcing from Ogun can combine smaller volumes from farmer clusters and cooperatives and easily consolidate them for export via Lagos.
For exporters balancing logistics costs with profitability, Ogun State remains an attractive sourcing destination despite its lower production capacity.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a State to Source Cocoa
Selecting the right state for cocoa sourcing can directly impact an exporter’s success. Some critical considerations include:
- Quality of beans: States like Osun and Ekiti are known for premium beans, while Ondo and Cross River balance quality with large volumes.
- Production volumes: Ondo and Cross River dominate in terms of quantity, which is vital for exporters handling bulk shipments.
- Infrastructure and logistics: Ogun and Cross River offer logistical advantages due to proximity to Lagos and Calabar ports, respectively.
- Storage facilities: Access to warehouses with proper aeration and pest protection is crucial for maintaining bean quality.
- Logistics costs: The farther the state from an export port, the higher the haulage costs. Exporters must balance volume benefits against transportation expenses.
By weighing these factors, exporters can design sourcing strategies that maximize both profitability and consistency.
Omas Commodities
At Omas Commodities, we understand that navigating Nigeria’s cocoa belt can be complex for exporters. That’s why we’ve built a sourcing and logistics network that spans major producing states like Ondo, Cross River, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun.
- Strong farmer partnerships: We work directly with cooperatives and trusted suppliers to ensure both quality and reliability.
- Modern storage facilities: Our warehouses are equipped to maintain bean quality, with moisture control and pest management at the core of our processes.
- Efficient logistics: By leveraging our haulage and freight expertise, we simplify the movement of cocoa from farm clusters to export-ready conditions at ports.
- Reduced exporter stress: Exporters can depend on us to handle sourcing, quality checks, and compliance seamlessly.
This integrated approach ensures that whether you need premium beans, bulk shipments, or both, Omas Commodities delivers with consistency.
Contact Us
◾Phone: +234 808 000 0224
◾Email: [email protected]
◾Head Office:
29, Ondo Road, Beside Onward House, Akure, Ondo State
◾International Office:
Elephant Hill Drive, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
◾Warehouse 1:
135, Ojota Road, Opa Quarters, Idanre, Ondo State
◾Warehouse 2:
Melegun/Olowotedo Camp. Opposite New Makun City Estate, Lagos/Ibadan expressway, Ogun State.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s cocoa industry is shaped by its producing states, each offering unique strengths, Ondo’s dominance in volume, Cross River’s emerging plantations, Osun’s quality-driven farmers, Ekiti’s premium beans, and Ogun’s logistical convenience.
For exporters, sourcing strategically from the right states is the difference between meeting international standards and falling short. By combining volume, quality, and efficient logistics, exporters can maximize both profitability and buyer satisfaction.
At Omas Commodities, we make this process seamless. With our sourcing networks, quality control systems, and logistics expertise, we position exporters for success in the global cocoa trade. Partnering with Omas means your cocoa exports are not just competitive but trusted worldwide.