The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has stepped up efforts to curb the rejection of Nigerian cocoa in the international market, warning farmers, exporters, and other stakeholders against the adulteration of cocoa beans with stones and other foreign materials.

The council said the sharp practice has continued to undermine the reputation of Nigerian cocoa and erode buyers’ confidence in the global market.

The warning was issued at a seminar on Cocoa Traceability organised by the NEPC in Akure, Ondo State, where cocoa farmers, exporters, processors and industry stakeholders were sensitised on international traceability requirements and quality standards.

Speaking at the event, the Ondo State Coordinator of the NEPC, Florence Okafor, said the seminar was aimed at ensuring cocoa exported from the state could be traced to its exact source, a requirement she described as critical to meeting international market standards and preventing product rejection.

She said, traceability has become a major condition for global trade, making it imperative for cocoa producers to maintain integrity throughout the production and export chain.

She warned against sharp practices aimed at increasing the weight of cocoa beans, saying such actions have continued to tarnish Nigeria’s image in the international market.

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“We want to eliminate practices that damage our reputation, such as mixing cocoa with stones or other materials to increase weight. Such practices lead to rejection of products in international markets,” she said.

Okafor added that the traceability initiative would enable buyers to verify the origin of cocoa exports, strengthen confidence in Ondo-produced cocoa and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian produce.

“Our goal is to stop product rejection by ensuring exports meet international standards. Whatever leaves Ondo State should be fully traceable from its point of origin,” she added.

Also speaking, chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Board and Cocoa Revolution Management Agency, Omolade Fabiyi, said the state government established the agency to attract investment into the cocoa value chain and boost production.

He disclosed that the state accounts for over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa production, stressing that the government is committed to improving product quality, expanding value addition and strengthening traceability across the sector.

Fabiyi, however, identified insecurity and poor rural road infrastructure as major constraints affecting cocoa production, calling for sustained investment in farm security and access roads to improve productivity.

A member of the Board and agency, Dr Samuel Oyebade, described traceability as a non-negotiable global requirement and advocated the creation of designated cocoa clusters across local government areas.

He also called for the rehabilitation of ageing plantations and increased technical support for farmers through soil testing, improved seedlings and modern agronomic practices.

Speaking on the technical component of the initiative, cocoa traceability expert Stephen Ayodele explained that international buyers now require complete documentation of agricultural products from the farm to the point of export.

According to him, the digital traceability system will enable buyers to monitor cocoa consignments in real time, thereby enhancing confidence in the origin, quality and handling of Nigerian cocoa exports.