Huge Illegal Trade of Cameroon Cotton Seeds to Nigeria

Over the past weeks, local authorities have been on an alert to address the illegal trade of cotton seeds in neighboring Nigeria. It is estimated that 19,500MT of cotton seeds (5.2% of the annual production) have been smuggled into Nigeria in the 2021/2022 season by farmers who are attracted by the more competitive price paid by Nigerian traders. The situation becomes more delicate as almost all cotton growers receive prefinances from the Local corporation which is the only official buyer of the country’s cotton seeds in exchange for their entire production. Unless the corporation’s sourcing price becomes more competitive, farmers will continue to smuggle at least part of their production as it significantly increases their revenues.