The global Nigerian diaspora** is massive, hungry, and constantly searching for authentic foods from home. Whether it’s a Londoner craving Ijebu garri, a Houston-based chef sourcing dried catfish, or a Toronto grocery store stocking egusi**, there’s one clear truth: the market is ready. This document will give you everything you need to know — from start-up capital, to food items to export, cargo agents, the advantages of the business, where to sell in each country, and the best time to start.
1. Why This Market is Booming
In the United Kingdom, there are over 270,000 Nigerian-born residents concentrated in Greater London, Manchester, Birmingham, and the South East. The United States hosts about 712,000 people of Nigerian ancestry, with clusters in Houston, Dallas, DMV, Atlanta, and New York/New Jersey. In Canada, the largest communities are in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton. Meanwhile, Australia is seeing growing Nigerian populations in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.
2. What Products to Export
Exporters should focus on shelf-stable, high-demand goods with long shelf lives. These include garri, poundo yam, semovita, beans flour, elubo, as well as spices like ginger, turmeric, suya spice, and hibiscus leaves. High-value proteins such as dried fish, stockfish cuttings, and dried crayfish are also profitable when processed and packaged to international standards. Palm oil remains in demand, though import rules vary. Specialty items such as egusi, ogbono, and locust beans appeal strongly to diaspora buyers.
3. Start-Up Costs & Budgeting
In Nigeria, registering with the NEPC costs about ₦13,500. NAFDAC registration fees vary depending on the product type, and NAQS phytosanitary certificates are required for plant-based exports. Air freight from Lagos to London averages around ₦6,000–₦6,500 per kilogram depending on the season. Packaging costs range between ₦500–₦1,500 per unit. Export documentation and broker fees can run between ₦150,000 and ₦500,000.
For example, a pilot shipment of 400 kg to the UK might cost about ₦5.3 million in total, covering registration, documentation, packaging, freight, and goods.
4. Cargo Agents & Freight Forwarders
Choosing the right cargo agent is critical. Reliable options include Cargonaija for Nigeria–UK air freight, County Cargo Logistics for exports to the UK, and Wigmore Trading for end-to-end services. Exporters should ensure agents have experience with NAFDAC and NAQS cargo, request detailed written quotes, and avoid peak shipping months such as November and December.
5. Advantages of the Business
The advantages of Nigerian food exportation far outweigh the challenges. These include a high repeat purchase rate, premium pricing potential, growing diaspora communities, cultural exclusivity, and support from government bodies like the NEPC. Many products enjoy premium mark-ups abroad, often selling for two to four times local prices.
6. Where to Sell in Each Country
In the UK, focus on areas such as Peckham, Woolwich, Tottenham, Thamesmead, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Glasgow. In the US, key markets include Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, DMV, and New York/New Jersey. In Canada, target Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton. For Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane are ideal. Distribution can be through African grocery stores, restaurants, and online ethnic food retailers.
7. Examples of Successful Exporters
Wigmore Trading has successfully built a UK retail supply chain for Nigerian staples. Cargonaija has supported individual entrepreneurs shipping yam flour, garri, and dried fish to UK family-run stores. Several small-scale traders in Houston and Toronto have scaled from 200–300 kg shipments to full containers within three years.
8. Best Time to Start
The best time to start is after the main harvest seasons — ginger from May to October, sesame from September to November and January to March — when raw material prices are lowest. Avoid the global Q4 freight peak unless targeting the holiday demand surge.
9. Conclusion
Nigerian food exportation to the UK, US, Canada, and Australia is highly profitable when done with proper compliance, product selection, and reliable cargo partnerships. With a growing diaspora and strong cultural attachment to authentic foods, this sector is poised for expansion in 2025.
