Nigeria to resume export of ‘zobo’ leaves to Mexico

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) says Nigeria is set to resume the export of hibiscus, locally known as zobo, to Mexico.

Vincent Isegbe, coordinating director, NAQS, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Tuesday.

He said export of the plant was suspended after storage pests were discovered in some consignments that were to be shipped out of the country.

He explained that the issue had been brought under control with help from “stakeholders across the value chain”.

Isegbe said in 2017, Nigeria exported 1,983 containers of hibiscus to Mexico alone, earning as much as $35 million within nine months of that year.

”The issue has now been taken care of. That is why we are resuming the export of the plant again,” he said.

“Nigeria is ready to resume export of the plant to Mexico. In a couple of weeks, we will resume shipments.

”Our farmers are eager and the fields are near ready. The harvest season of hibiscus will start any moment from now.

“And the good news is that Nigeria has a vast growing belt, with harvest available all year round.

“We need to take advantage of this opportunity to earn foreign exchange for the country and support the present administration’s diversification of the economy.”

Isegbe urged farmers to show more commitment to growing the plant in order to increase their income from its sale.