Nigeria has been one of the largest sesame producing and exporting countries for a long time. The production output varies yearly, but it currently hovers around 550K tons, making the country the fourth-largest producer in the world. Sesame production and export are growing yearly as the demand for the oilseed increases globally. Despite Nigeria being a large producer and exporter, there are still a lot of untapped potentials when it comes to the sesame market. A new player in the Nigerian market, King KOD Global Ventures, is seeking to increase exports by focusing on high quality standards, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.
Increasing Demand for Sesame Seeds
There is a global growing demand for sesame seeds. Not only China, East Asia, and the Middle East show a high demand, but many countries in Europe and North America also show an increased interest in the seed. The growth in sesame demand is mainly driven by 4 factors. First, is the increasing consumer trends towards healthy eating. Second, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry is demanding more sesame seeds due to their high antioxidant content. Third, more sesame is being consumed globally due to the growing population in Asian and African countries. Finally, the increasing popularity of Asian and African cuisine in Western countries has led to a surge in sesame demand in Europe and the Americas. King KOD Global Ventures has therefore made Europe its main target market.
Overcoming Export Barriers in Nigeria
Despite the huge progression Nigeria is making in terms of export, the company still sees some barriers to export. These barriers mainly stem from a lack of awareness: many farmers are not yet made aware of sustainable farming methods. Water can be very scarce in northern Nigeria, which is the major producing region for the oilseeds. With climate change affecting the whole continent quite severely, farming methods need to improve to remain lucrative in the future. Some solutions the company employs range from using proper seeds for planting, educating farmers about planting techniques, and implementing high levels of quality assurance by employing highly trained & experienced quality assurance & managers.
King KOD Global Ventures also thinks many farmers and exporters lack proper knowledge about export procedures and differences between export destinations such as import procedures, and food safety management systems that may be specific to a particular country or region. Especially with more companies using online platforms to find export partners all over the world, having proper knowhow about export procedures is very important. To overcome this barrier, the company employs staff and foreign trade representatives across major cities on every continent to deliver a smooth cross border contractual and purchasing experience to international clients.
Quality Assurance Vital for Sesame Seeds
The company places a special focus on quality management. With a dedicated quality management officer, the company ensures that its sesame seeds have a high oil content, a low moisture content, and a purity of 99% at least. In general, Nigerian sesame seeds are more competitively priced than sesame seeds from India or China, and its geographical location makes export to Europe fast and lucrative.