Avocado Society of Nigeria (ASN) has affirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s Avocado Sector as it moves to introduce the high-yielding Hass variety, projected to generate over N12 billion annually for the country.
According to the ASN President, Ambassador Adeniyi Sola-Bunmi, the Hass avocado, which matures in just three years and commands higher market value, will revolutionize local production and position Nigeria for global competitiveness.
Sola-Bunmi noted that Nigeria’s avocado sector is currently dominated by small-scale farmers and hampered by the misconception that the crop takes too long to bear fruit.
“The Hass variety changes that narrative,” he explained, adding that the Society is already aggregating farmers under its umbrella, with many beginning to cultivate Hass avocados due to their profitability.
To scale production, ASN has established a demonstration farm and international nursery in Abeokuta, Ogun State, designed to produce seedlings that meet export standards.
The Society is also setting up large commercial farms across several states, including Imo, Ogun, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River, and Oyo.
Nigeria recently deepened ties with Kenya, Africa’s leading avocado exporter and the world’s sixth-largest producer, to accelerate knowledge transfer and seedling development.
Kenya’s model, which encourages farmers to start small with three to five trees, is now being replicated in Nigeria.
“The partnership with Kenya is not just strategic but transformational.
“If properly adopted, Nigeria can move into the top 10 avocado producers in Africa within a short time,” Sola-Bunmi said.
With the global avocado market valued at over $20 billion and expected to reach $26.7 billion by 2030, Nigeria is positioning itself to capture a share of the trade in what is widely known as “green gold.”
