Nigeria ginger

Nigerian ginger is considered to be among the best kinds of ginger in the world. It has a strong aroma, a high oil content, and a distinctive taste. Nigeria is also much closer to Europe than other major ginger producers like China or Peru, making it a competitive source for Dutch and European buyers.

The CBI Nigeria ginger programme (2020-2025)  supported Nigerian exporters to enhance quality, connect with Dutch and European buyers, and strengthen ties with farmers. Faced with severe ginger blight challenges in 2023 and 2024, the sector demonstrated strong adaptability. Stakeholders joined forces to conduct field trials, share vital expertise, and strengthen resilience across the board.

While the project has now closed, the sector has gained momentum, and the story of Nigerian ginger is moving forward.

Project purpose 

Nigeria is one of the largest ginger producers in the world. It produces around 523,000 metric tonnes every year. The sector supports around 300,000 farmers and 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Ginger is one of Nigeria's top non-oil export products.

Nigerian ginger is unique. Its scent and flavour profile set it apart from ginger grown elsewhere. And its location gives it a clear advantage. Exports from Nigeria can reach Dutch and European markets faster and with a lower carbon footprint than ginger exports shipped from Asia or Latin America.

The sector has real challenges and CBI responded by shifting focus. Together with partner the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Development (COLEAD) and a group of committed exporters, CBI and partners set up demonstration fields to test ways of fighting the ginger blight disease. The results were shared in sector-wide training workshops. Knowledge spread to farmers through their networks.

At the same time, CBI promoted interest from Dutch and European buyers. In November 2025, a group of 6 importers (4 four from the Netherlands, 1 from Germany, and 1 from India) visited Nigeria to meet exporters and see the sector firsthand. Their interest confirmed that Nigerian ginger has a strong future.

The goals of this project were to:

• Support Nigerian SMEs to improve quality and access European Union (EU) markets
• Build stronger links between exporters and their farmer suppliers
• Strengthen sector collaboration and service delivery

Partners

We partnered with 15 ginger SMEs in this project.

• Aace Food Processing and Distribution Ltd
• Achi Greens Farms Ltd
• Acier Ltd
• AFEX Commodities Ltd
• Afric Agro Produce Ltd
• Atius Synergy Global Ltd
• Belphins Nigeria Limited
• COLEAD
• Daraja International Investment Co. Ltd.
• Fina Agro Allied Industries Ltd
• Gum Arabic Company Nigeria (GACON) Ltd
• Hero Commodities Trading & Export Ltd  
• Shield of Women Ltd
• Trappco Ranch and Resort Ltd
• Truvis Agro Services Ltd

Other partners included Fate Foundation and Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

Become a partner

While this project has ended, there is real momentum in the sector.

The ginger blight challenge fuelled a shared sense of urgency. Exporters, farmers, associations, and institutions are now working more closely together than before. Best practices from the demonstration fields are spreading. And EU buyers are paying attention.

The ambition is to scale the demo field approach and continue supporting the sector's resilience and export capacity. Contact CBI to find out more or contact these exporters.

Get in touch

Are you a European importer interested in Nigerian ginger? Are you a knowledge partner, researcher, or organisation working in the spices or agri-food sector? We would appreciate hearing from you.

If you want to learn more about the sector, connect with exporters, or explore future collaboration, reach out to Lisanne van de Kerkhof.

Reach out now

About CBI

CBI promotes sustainable production and trade between low-and middle-income countries and the Netherlands and Europe. We partner with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their ecosystem to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability.

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.