Nigeria plans large-scale clove farming to cut imports and build export capacity
The country plans a nationwide clove farming campaign in 2026, with thousands of farmers expected to join the effort.
NIGERIA – Nigeria plans to start large-scale clove cultivation during the 2026 rainy season, a move that could reshape its spice sector and reduce reliance on imports.
The first official nationwide clove cultivation campaign will begin in April 2026, according to Abdullahi Shuaibu, national coordinator of the Association of Clove Producers, Processors and Distributors of Nigeria. He shared the details on January 25 in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The programme will involve about 74,000 farmers across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Each farmer will receive improved seeds and other inputs to cultivate about 0.5 hectares of cloves.
Mr. Shuaibu said the goal goes beyond production. “The initiative is designed to make Nigeria the second African country, after Tanzania, to produce cloves on a commercial scale,” he said.
The association expects the project to help Nigeria meet local demand and reduce imports. If production exceeds domestic needs, the sector will also target export markets.
Imports and market pressure
Nigeria currently depends on imported cloves to meet demand. Data from Trade Map shows that the country imported an average of 1,184 tonnes of cloves per year between 2020 and 2024. Imports reached a peak of 3,886 tonnes in 2021.
Over the same period, Nigeria spent an average of about US$1 million per year on clove imports, with spending rising to US$2.4 million in 2021. These figures highlight the economic cost of reliance on foreign supply and the potential impact of local production.
Industry stakeholders say the new programme could strengthen farmer incomes while easing pressure on foreign exchange.
Global demand and growth prospects
Nigeria’s push into cloves also reflects changes in global demand. The international clove market continues to grow, driven partly by Indonesia’s kretek tobacco industry and wider use of cloves in food preservation, personal care products and drug research.
According to the Indian research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global clove market reached about US$5.7 billion in 2025. The firm expects the market to grow at an average annual rate of 5.3 percent, reaching about US$7.2 billion by 2030.
Producers in Nigeria believe this trend creates room for new suppliers. They hope that structured production and farmer participation will help the country gain a share of the expanding market, similar to its experience in the ginger sector.
Future seasons will show whether Nigeria can build a strong clove industry that meets local needs and supports exports. The success of the 2026 campaign will likely shape the country’s position in Africa’s spice trade in the years ahead.
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