Nigeria is a leading player in the global cocoa market. The country is the fourth-largest producer, accounting for 6.5% share of global production, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
The first direct shipments of Nigerian cocoa beans to Russia are anticipated this fall, marking a significant step in the growing trade relationship between the two nations.
With global cocoa production on the rise following recent price surges, Nigeria, a major producer, is well-positioned to be a valuable partner for Russia in its search for high-quality cocoa beans.
"To date, leading Russian chocolate manufacturers have already tested Nigerian cocoa beans and are satisfied with the quality. We expect the first container shipments to arrive with the fall (September-October) cocoa harvest," said Russian Trade Representative in Nigeria Maxim Petrov.
According to the trade representative, the supplies will be carried out by Russian trading houses that already export frozen fish, chocolate, alcohol, and meat to Nigeria.
As Petrov noted, three such trading houses are already operating; they are registered by Russian entrepreneurs under the Nigerian jurisdiction.
