Cocoa remains one of Nigeria’s most valuable agricultural exports, sustaining thousands of farming families and contributing millions of dollars to the country’s non-oil revenue. From Ondo to Cross River, cocoa drives local economies and connects rural farmers to global markets where chocolate makers depend on their beans. Yet, despite its importance, the industry faces several persistent challenges that threaten its survival and growth. The very foundation of Nigeria’s cocoa sector, from production to export, is weighed down by issues that limit productivity, profitability, and competitiveness in the global market.
The Aging Cocoa Trees Problem
One of the biggest challenges facing cocoa production in Nigeria is the aging tree population. Many of the cocoa trees currently in production were planted more than three decades ago, and few farmers have replaced them with new, high-yielding varieties. As these old trees lose vigor, their pods become fewer and smaller, directly reducing overall yield and bean quality.
Aging trees also tend to be more susceptible to diseases and pests, further compounding production difficulties. Rejuvenating these farms requires significant investment, from replanting to soil restoration, but most smallholder farmers lack the capital or support needed to do so. Efforts by agricultural organizations and exporters to introduce improved seedlings and hybrid varieties are helping in some regions, but large-scale replanting remains slow. Without generational renewal of cocoa trees, Nigeria risks a steady decline in both output and quality.
Poor Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Losses
Even when farmers manage to produce good-quality beans, poor infrastructure stands in the way of profitability. Many cocoa-producing communities are connected by rough, untarred roads that make transporting beans from farm to collection centers a costly and time-consuming process. During the rainy season, these roads often become impassable, causing delays that affect the freshness and dryness of the beans.
Post-harvest losses also occur due to inadequate storage facilities. Without proper warehouses or drying platforms, farmers resort to drying their beans in open spaces where rain, humidity, or pests can damage the product. Some even store cocoa in poorly ventilated rooms, leading to mold growth that lowers bean grade and export value.
Logistics inefficiency extends through the supply chain, increasing the cost of moving cocoa from rural areas to export ports. This infrastructure gap quietly drains profits and reduces Nigeria’s competitiveness compared to neighboring countries like Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where farm-to-port systems are more streamlined.
Low Access to Funding and Modern Equipment
The majority of cocoa farmers in Nigeria operate as smallholders, cultivating less than five hectares of land. With limited financial resources, they struggle to invest in essential tools, fertilizers, and improved seedlings that could significantly boost productivity. Many farmers rely on manual labor and rudimentary equipment, leading to inefficiencies during harvesting, fermentation, and drying.
Access to credit remains a major barrier. Financial institutions often see smallholder farmers as high-risk borrowers due to their lack of collateral and unstable income streams. As a result, most farmers depend on personal savings or informal lenders, which limits their ability to expand operations or adopt new technology. This funding gap keeps them tied to outdated practices that compromise both yield and quality.
Bridging this divide requires targeted agricultural financing programs, accessible microcredit schemes, and partnerships between cooperatives, government agencies, and private investors. When farmers have the financial backing to modernize, they can improve efficiency, adopt sustainable practices, and compete globally with higher yields and better-quality cocoa.
Pests and Diseases
Cocoa pests and diseases are among the most destructive forces undermining Nigeria’s cocoa production. The black pod disease, caused by a fungus, remains one of the biggest threats, capable of wiping out up to 40% of annual yield if not properly managed. Insects such as capsids (mirids) also attack cocoa pods and stems, reducing both bean quantity and quality.
The cost of pest control is often too high for small farmers, forcing many to rely on makeshift or outdated solutions. Even when fungicides and pesticides are available, improper application or fake products on the market reduce their effectiveness. Moreover, climate changes have made pest cycles more unpredictable, allowing infestations to spread more easily.
Some cooperatives and exporters now promote integrated pest management (IPM), which combines chemical control with natural solutions and good farm hygiene. Still, without large-scale training and support, these efforts reach only a fraction of Nigeria’s cocoa farmers. Controlling pests and diseases effectively will be key to sustaining long-term productivity and meeting export standards.
Climate Change and Unpredictable Rainfall Patterns
Climate change is steadily reshaping Nigeria’s cocoa landscape. In the past, cocoa thrived in predictable wet and dry seasons that supported flowering, pod development, and proper fermentation. Today, irregular rainfall and prolonged dry spells disrupt these cycles, leading to reduced yield and inconsistent bean quality. Droughts can cause trees to shed flowers prematurely, while excessive rain during harvest seasons increases the risk of black pod disease and improper drying.
These shifts also make it difficult to plan farm operations or fermentation schedules, further complicating production. Some farmers are adapting by introducing shade trees, practicing soil conservation, and investing in irrigation systems, but adoption remains limited due to cost and lack of awareness.
As the climate continues to evolve, cocoa-producing regions must invest in resilience: research into climate-tolerant cocoa varieties, farmer education, and improved water management practices. Without these measures, climate change could drastically reduce Nigeria’s cocoa output in the coming decades.
Outdated Farming Techniques and Low Productivity
Many Nigerian cocoa farms still rely on traditional methods passed down through generations. While these techniques may have worked decades ago, they no longer meet modern agricultural or export demands. Poor spacing, lack of pruning, and minimal soil testing are common issues that limit productivity and reduce tree lifespan.
Farmers often lack training in best practices such as shade management, pest prevention, and use of improved, high-yield seedlings. Many are unaware of sustainable farming techniques that could increase yield while preserving soil health. As a result, productivity per hectare in Nigeria remains lower than in countries like Ghana or Ivory Coast, where training and technology adoption are more widespread.
Revitalizing the sector means equipping farmers with knowledge and modern tools through consistent extension services, cooperative-led training programs, and private-sector partnerships. With proper education and innovation, Nigeria could easily double its cocoa yield without expanding farmland.
Inadequate Government Support and Policy Gaps
Cocoa production in Nigeria has long suffered from inconsistent government attention. While the crop once enjoyed structured support during the early post-independence era, subsequent decades saw reduced funding, weak coordination, and policy instability. Many programs designed to improve cocoa yields or provide subsidies were either short-lived or poorly implemented.
Extension services, vital for training farmers, remain scarce, with limited personnel covering vast farming regions. Policy gaps also discourage private investment, as exporters and processors lack clear direction on incentives, quality control standards, and sustainable farming goals. Without consistent support, farmers and exporters struggle to plan long-term improvements.
A coordinated national cocoa development strategy, similar to Ghana’s Cocoa Board model could change this narrative. With stable policies, proper funding, and collaboration between government, private firms, and cooperatives, Nigeria could rebuild its cocoa dominance in Africa and the global market.
Security and Safety Challenges in Cocoa-Producing Regions
Security has become one of the biggest threats to cocoa production in Nigeria. Farmers in key producing states such as Ondo, Cross River, and Osun often face rising incidents of farm theft, destruction of crops, and even kidnapping for ransom. These challenges force many farmers to abandon their plantations or restrict movement to their farms, leading to reduced productivity and increased costs for labor and protection.
Beyond personal safety, insecurity discourages local and foreign investment. Exporters hesitate to build long-term sourcing partnerships in volatile regions, while farmers lose motivation to reinvest in their farms. In some cases, theft during harvest season results in direct financial losses, undermining months of hard work. Strengthening rural security, improving road surveillance, and supporting community policing systems could go a long way in restoring confidence and protecting the cocoa value chain.
Omas Commodities
Omas Commodities plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between farmers and the global cocoa market. Through our sourcing networks across key cocoa-producing states, we ensure farmers have access to reliable markets where their efforts are rewarded fairly.
We also offer warehousing and logistics solutions that minimize losses caused by poor storage or transportation delays. With quality control systems in place, we ensure only export-ready beans reach international buyers, protecting Nigeria’s reputation for quality. By working directly with farmer groups and cooperatives, we are building a stronger, more transparent cocoa value chain that benefits every participant.
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.
By choosing Omas Commodities, you’re not just selecting a logistics provider but you’re partnering with a company committed to excellence, transparency, and growth in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Conclusion
Cocoa remains one of Nigeria’s greatest agricultural assets, but realizing its full potential requires collective effort. From aging trees and poor infrastructure to insecurity and inadequate government support, the challenges are significant, yet not insurmountable.
By prioritizing modernization, investing in quality assurance, and strengthening partnerships between farmers, cooperatives, and companies, Nigeria can reclaim its position as a leading cocoa powerhouse.