Post by Trade facilitator on Oct 11, 2022 8:02:11 GMT 1
Exporting Sunflower Seeds To Europe – 40 Containers Demanded By Importers Monthly
In part 1 of this article, we brought to you some things you need to know about exporting sunflower seeds to Europe.
Sunflower export from Nigeria is a very lucrative business, but many investors and farmers are not yet aware of this venture because of ignorance.
Statistics show that Europe is one of the largest and most important producers of sunflower seeds in the world today.
However, Europe’s market demand for sunflower exceeds production, and this provides interesting opportunities to suppliers from other parts of the world especially Nigeria.
The leading producers of sunflower seeds in the world are Russia, Ukraine, Argentina, China and Kazakhstan.
With the war between Russia and Ukraine, your guess is as good as mine.
Alhaji Jibrin K. Bukar is the National President, National Sunflower Growers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria. In this interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, he said the world had resorted to Nigeria in search of sunflower products, especially the oil, which is regarded as the second best after olive in terms of health benefits and the fourth most consumed internationally due to the current war between Ukraine and Russia.
He recently granted an interview to Daily Trust, and this is what he said “Global supply is down because other countries that are even producing have also restricted export, taking into cognizance that Ukraine, which is the major producer, produces over 57 per cent of the global production of the sunflower. It is now left for Nigeria to capitalize on that, take advantage of what is happening, because as we speak, many countries have been calling and asking for tons, not only the seeds but also the oil”. I remember very well somebody asking me “Can I get 40 containers of 40 feet each, every month?” I told him no, we cannot at the moment.
He also said that it’s something the government should capitalize on, especially the federal ministry of agriculture, to support farmers produce in mass, while the federal ministry of industry should also provide all the necessary support, in the processing aspect and the marketing. The Bank of Industry is also important here; and we hope that they will do their part because it is one of the crops that are very vital to human health. If we can flood the Nigerian market with sunflower oil, it will increase the health status of our people because of its medicinal benefit.
Quality of the seeds:
Sunflower seeds are categorized into two main types that differ in size, colour of the hull and application:
1) Confectionery type: large-sized, striped sunflower seed husks are processed or used for direct consumption (roasted, salted – common in Mediterranean countries). The seeds are often shelled and the kernel is sold in the bakery industry, e.g. used as a topping in breads, cakes, etc. In-shell sunflower seeds are used widely in the bird feed industry too;
2) Black / crushing type: The thin and smaller black sunflower seeds are mainly used for crushing (to produce sunflower oil).
The black sunflower seeds have relatively high oil content (between 39-49%). The distinct size also makes them directly usable for bird feed.
When planning to use sunflowers, make sure that the raw material (i.e. sunflower seeds) is fresh and that there are no long delays between harvesting and extraction. Sunflower seeds should also be free from sand, stalk, plant debris and other foreign materials.
Some of the most important quality factors concerning sunflower seeds are: odour, flavour, oil content, moisture content, colour, size, uniformity of seeds, purity and damaged/mouldy seeds.
Sunflower seeds should also be free from mycotoxins and harmful microbiological activity. Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin contamination are known to be a problem for many producers, and buyers closely monitor these aspects by testing before shipment and after arrival.
Gombe State is the major producer of sunflower in Nigeria, and generally, the North East produces more than any other zone of Nigeria. In fact, the North Eastern part has the highest potential of producing sunflowers.
Stay with us for more.
Our company is one of the best Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
Sunflower export from Nigeria is a very lucrative business, but many investors and farmers are not yet aware of this venture because of ignorance.
Statistics show that Europe is one of the largest and most important producers of sunflower seeds in the world today.
However, Europe’s market demand for sunflower exceeds production, and this provides interesting opportunities to suppliers from other parts of the world especially Nigeria.
The leading producers of sunflower seeds in the world are Russia, Ukraine, Argentina, China and Kazakhstan.
With the war between Russia and Ukraine, your guess is as good as mine.
Alhaji Jibrin K. Bukar is the National President, National Sunflower Growers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria. In this interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, he said the world had resorted to Nigeria in search of sunflower products, especially the oil, which is regarded as the second best after olive in terms of health benefits and the fourth most consumed internationally due to the current war between Ukraine and Russia.
He recently granted an interview to Daily Trust, and this is what he said “Global supply is down because other countries that are even producing have also restricted export, taking into cognizance that Ukraine, which is the major producer, produces over 57 per cent of the global production of the sunflower. It is now left for Nigeria to capitalize on that, take advantage of what is happening, because as we speak, many countries have been calling and asking for tons, not only the seeds but also the oil”. I remember very well somebody asking me “Can I get 40 containers of 40 feet each, every month?” I told him no, we cannot at the moment.
He also said that it’s something the government should capitalize on, especially the federal ministry of agriculture, to support farmers produce in mass, while the federal ministry of industry should also provide all the necessary support, in the processing aspect and the marketing. The Bank of Industry is also important here; and we hope that they will do their part because it is one of the crops that are very vital to human health. If we can flood the Nigerian market with sunflower oil, it will increase the health status of our people because of its medicinal benefit.
Quality of the seeds:
Sunflower seeds are categorized into two main types that differ in size, colour of the hull and application:
1) Confectionery type: large-sized, striped sunflower seed husks are processed or used for direct consumption (roasted, salted – common in Mediterranean countries). The seeds are often shelled and the kernel is sold in the bakery industry, e.g. used as a topping in breads, cakes, etc. In-shell sunflower seeds are used widely in the bird feed industry too;
2) Black / crushing type: The thin and smaller black sunflower seeds are mainly used for crushing (to produce sunflower oil).
The black sunflower seeds have relatively high oil content (between 39-49%). The distinct size also makes them directly usable for bird feed.
When planning to use sunflowers, make sure that the raw material (i.e. sunflower seeds) is fresh and that there are no long delays between harvesting and extraction. Sunflower seeds should also be free from sand, stalk, plant debris and other foreign materials.
Some of the most important quality factors concerning sunflower seeds are: odour, flavour, oil content, moisture content, colour, size, uniformity of seeds, purity and damaged/mouldy seeds.
Sunflower seeds should also be free from mycotoxins and harmful microbiological activity. Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin contamination are known to be a problem for many producers, and buyers closely monitor these aspects by testing before shipment and after arrival.
Gombe State is the major producer of sunflower in Nigeria, and generally, the North East produces more than any other zone of Nigeria. In fact, the North Eastern part has the highest potential of producing sunflowers.
Stay with us for more.
Our company is one of the best Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
