Nigeria cocoa exports to US surge to $142 million

Nigeria’s cocoa bean exports to the United States reached $142 million in 2025, a significant increase from the $21.7 million recorded in 2024. Data released by the United States Mission in Nigeria shows a nearly sevenfold increase in export value within a single year.

The surge in revenue is attributed to rising global cocoa prices, driven by supply deficits in major West African producers like Ivory Coast and Ghana due to weather challenges and crop diseases. While the dollar value has spiked, the increase primarily reflects higher market prices rather than a confirmed increase in shipment volumes.

This growth aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependence. To maximize the benefits of high global prices, the Nigerian government is working to increase domestic processing capacity. President Bola Tinubu has outlined plans to strengthen local manufacturing of higher-value products such as cocoa butter, powder, and chocolate to ensure more value is retained within the country.