Description:. Shea nuts are primarily grown in West and Central Africa in the semi-arid Sahel,referred to by traders as the "Shea Belt". Vitellaria paradoxa and Vitellaria nilotica are the two main varieties. Vitellaria paradoxa is exported in the largest volume and grows throughout the West African region.Vitellaria nilotica is produced primarily in northern Uganda and southern Sudan.
Harvest: Shea nut trees grow widely and naturally in West Africa. They only begin to bear fruit after about 20 years and do not reach maturity for 45 years. They may continue to produce nuts for up to 200 years after reaching maturity. The nuts, which are embedded in a soft fruit, fall to the ground during the harvesting period (typically June through August). They are then buried in pits which cause the pulp to ferment and disintegrate and produce enough heat to prevent germination. The nuts are dried for a few days and are later shelled and winnowed, usually by hand. The kernels are dried further to reduce moisture content from about 40 percent to about 7 percent.
Locations: Sheanut grows in the wild across the Sudan-Sahelian region of Africa. The major producing countries are: Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic. Nigeria is currently the leading producer of Sheanut in the world and in 2004 Nigeria's production of the commodity was 414,000 metric tonnes with export value of US$61.04 million (Source: FAO). Shea nut is grown in Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Oyo and Ogun state. It can also be found in a number of the northern states of Nigeria.
Specifications: Individual companies specify their own quality standards for purchases of shea nuts. The following is a benchmark for the composition of the shea nut required for import:
Features
|
Percentage
|
Free Fatty Acids (FFA)
|
less than or equal to 6%
|
Moisture Content
|
less than or equal to 10%
|
Oil Content
|
greater than or equal to 45%
|
Latex
|
4-10%
|
Impurity
|
0-2%
|
The oil content is the most crucial element of the shea nut as that component is an important ingredient in the composition of the butter that goes into Cocoa Butter Equivalents and other by-products. If the oil content is higher and the FFA and moisture content is lower, then the exporter will receive a price premium.
Uses: Shea nuts are mainly use in the production of Shea Butter. Therefore all the uses of shea nuts are invariably embedded in the economic importance of Shea Butter.
Export market: A few companies based in Europe control the import market for shea nuts. Their main clients are chocolate manufacturers as the shea nut by-products are among the principal ingredients in cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs). Major destinations for Nigeria's Sheanut are the EU and Japan. Major European importing companies are primarily based in Denmark, Sweden and the UK.
Export Price: The export market price on FOB terms ranges from USD350-650/MT and sometimes or even more depending on the period during its season.
Local price: The local market price of shea nuts per MT ranges from NGN40,000 to NGN90,00.00 or even more to deliver it to Lagos during the season.
At TOSFAT Concepts, we offer a comprehensive tutoring with our training classes and also a strong mentoring service with our Non-Oil Commodity Export Business Consulting Service. To learn more about this business, subscribe for our 2 Days Comprehensive Online Training Programme which covers both Shea Nut and Shea Butter Exporting Business. The information you will gain in this training are field and real life information which will go a long way in assisting your success in the business. In order to subscribe for our online training programme, you have to be on
either facebook or skype for us to chat with you directly for the
interactive session. The training session duration is 2 hours daily for two days.
We provide mentoring for new exporters in need of mentoring with our Export Advisory Service. Contact us for more information on our Export Advisory Service.
Note: You can also contact us,if you are an International buyer or domestic buyer for Sheanut or Shea Butter. Also, for local and international suppliers of sheanut or shea butter join our TOSFAT SUPPLIER'S NETWORK , in order to get connected to the right buyers.
If you are interested in any of our services, contact us with the information below:
If you are interested in any of our services, contact us with the information below:
E-mail: business@tosfatconcepts.com.ng
Phone:+2348038248222
+2348076000259
+2348076000259
We wish you a successful business career.
To your success,
Gbeke Faith
Chief Consultant
TOSFAT Concepts
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