Ondo Cocoa Faces Global Quality Test as NEPC Moves to End Export Rejections

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched a fresh push to improve the quality of cocoa from Ondo State and end the rejection of Nigerian cocoa in international markets.

The council warned that the practice of mixing cocoa with stones and other foreign materials to increase the weight of consignments is hurting the reputation of Nigerian exporters and threatening the state’s position in the global cocoa trade.

The warning was issued at a Cocoa Traceability Seminar organised by the NEPC in Akure, where farmers, exporters, cocoa experts and other industry stakeholders discussed international quality requirements.

‘No more adulterated cocoa’

Ondo State Coordinator of the NEPC, Florence Okafor, said the goal was to ensure that every cocoa shipment leaving the state could be traced back to the farm where it was produced.

She explained that traceability has become an essential requirement in international trade because buyers want assurances about the origin, quality and handling of agricultural products.

Okafor said practices such as adding stones and other materials to cocoa consignments could lead to rejection by foreign buyers and damage Nigeria’s reputation.

She said the council’s objective was to ensure that cocoa produced in Ondo meets international standards before reaching the global market.

Ondo accounts for over 40% of Nigeria’s cocoa

Chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Board and Cocoa Revolution Management Agency, Omolade Fabiyi, said the state contributes more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa production.

He said the state government established the agency to attract investment, increase production and develop the cocoa value chain.

Fabiyi, however, identified insecurity and poor rural roads as major obstacles facing cocoa farmers.

He urged the government to invest more in securing farming communities and improving rural roads to make it easier for farmers to transport their produce.

Experts demand modern farming approach

Dr Samuel Oyebade, a member of the state Cocoa Board and Cocoa Revolution Management Agency, called for a more organised approach to cocoa production.

He recommended the creation of cocoa clusters across local government areas, rehabilitation of old plantations and greater technical support for farmers.

According to him, access to improved seedlings, soil testing and modern agricultural practices would help farmers improve both productivity and cocoa quality.

Digital tracking to give buyers confidence

Speaking on the technical side of traceability, Stephen Ayodele said international buyers increasingly expect agricultural products to have complete documentation from the farm to the export point.

He said the new traceability system would allow cocoa shipments to be monitored through digital platforms, helping buyers verify where the cocoa was produced and how it was handled.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the credibility of Ondo cocoa, reduce export rejections and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in the international cocoa market.

For farmers and exporters, stakeholders say better traceability, improved infrastructure and stricter quality control could turn Ondo’s cocoa industry into an even stronger source of foreign exchange and rural