Nigeria has emerged as the largest market for U.S. wines in Africa, with exports reaching a remarkable $7.8 million in 2024, reflecting a 65% growth from the previous year.
This was disclosed by JoEllen Gorg, the Acting U.S. Consul General, during a trade promotion event organized by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Mission in collaboration with the California Wine Institute.
The event, held in Lagos, brought together 18 California wineries and over 120 Nigerian stakeholders, including wine importers, distributors, retailers, and hospitality industry representatives.
It provided an opportunity to showcase over 160 award-winning California wines, ranging from crisp whites to bold reds, while also discussing the growing market potential for the U.S. wines in Nigeria.
Gorg highlighted the role of the FAS in expanding U.S.-Nigeria agricultural trade, particularly in the wine sector.
“The United States is proud to offer the highest quality agricultural products, and California wines are some of the finest examples of that quality.”
She further emphasized that California is home to more than 5,000 wineries, producing over 80% of the U.S. wine supply and ranking as the world’s fourth-largest wine producer.
The event also featured a specialized seminar for local wine importers and prominent Nigerian restaurateurs, focusing on opportunities for mutual trade benefits.
Honore Comfort, Vice President for International Marketing at the California Wine Institute, explained that the event was part of the 2025 Africa Tasting Tour, which seeks to increase knowledge and interest in California wines across the continent.
“This is a step towards fostering agricultural trade relations and showcasing the diversity and quality of California wines,” Comfort added.
The California Wine Institute, a trade organization representing California’s wineries, is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s FAS to enhance agricultural trade relations in Africa. In addition to Lagos, the 2025 tour will include stops in Nairobi, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa.
