Post by Trade facilitator on Aug 17, 2023 11:01:52 GMT 1
Safeguarding Nigeria's Sesame Seed Exports: Navigating Rejection Challenges - Ensuring Top-Quality Nigerian Sesame Seed Exports
NAFDAC Lists Top 10 Rejected Nigerian Agricultural Commodities Abroad.
The Deputy Director, Export Division, Ports Inspection Directorate, NAFDAC, Sanwo-Olu O.A. stated in an address she delivered at the 3rd CHINET Aviacargo conference in Lagos, that some of the commonly rejected export food commodities from Nigeria from 2018 till date and in the top 10 include Sesame, Beans, Melon seeds, Peanut and Smoked fish/fish meal, Ginger, Spices pepper, Hibiscus flower, Palm oil and Ogbono.
The Deputy Director blamed the high rate of rejection on non-adherence to standardized clearance procedures by stakeholders. She stated this in an address she delivered at the 3rd CHINET Aviacargo conference in Lagos with the title: “Unlocking the Logistics Barrier to Improving Agro Exports Products”.
Enough of High Level Speeches from High Level Government officials, let us settle down and find what actually the problem is and offer practical and effective solutions as people who have been in this business for a long time.
We are going to take the commodities one after the other and do justice to the problems affecting them and offer solutions that are practical and easy to follow and implement.
We Take The First One: Sesame Seed, Why Is This Commodity Usually Rejected By Importing Countries And Needs To Be Done To Permanently Stop The Menace?
Sesame seeds are indeed a valuable commodity in international trade, and Nigeria is one of the major producers and exporters of sesame seeds. However, there have been instances where sesame seeds from Nigeria and other producing countries have been rejected by importing countries.
Some of the common reasons for rejection and measures to address them include:
High levels of pesticide residues. Sesame seeds are often treated with pesticides to protect them from pests and diseases during cultivation and storage. However, if the levels of pesticides are too high, they can be harmful to human health. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of pesticide residues in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Presence of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a type of mycotoxin that can be found in sesame seeds. Aflatoxins are produced by fungi that grow on crops in hot, humid conditions. They are poisonous and can cause serious health problems, including liver damage and cancer. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of aflatoxins in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Microbial contamination. Sesame seeds can be contaminated with bacteria, yeast, and mold. This can happen during cultivation, harvest, processing, or storage. Microbial contamination can cause food poisoning and other health problems. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of microbial contamination in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Foreign matter. Sesame seeds can be contaminated with foreign matter, such as stones, sand, or insects. This can happen during cultivation, harvest, processing, or storage. Foreign matter can make sesame seeds unsafe to eat and can also damage machinery used to process food. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of foreign matter in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Quality and Purity Issues. Importing countries often have stringent quality standards for sesame seeds, including criteria related to purity, cleanliness, and moisture content. Seeds contaminated with foreign matter, mold, or other impurities can be rejected. To address this, it's crucial for Nigerian exporters to invest in proper cleaning, drying, and storage facilities to ensure the seeds meet international quality standards.
Allergen Cross-Contamination. Cross-contamination with allergens (like nuts) during harvesting, processing, or packaging can lead to rejections, especially if proper allergen control measures are not in place. Implementing stringent allergen separation protocols and labeling can help mitigate this issue.
Inadequate Documentation. Accurate and complete documentation, including certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, and quality reports, is necessary for smooth international trade. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can lead to rejection at customs. Exporters should ensure they provide accurate and thorough paperwork.
Inconsistent Sizing and Grading. Sesame seeds are often sorted and graded based on size, color, and purity. Inconsistent sizing and grading can result in rejection. Standardizing the sorting and grading processes and adhering to international grading standards can help prevent this issue.
Post-Harvest Handling. Proper post-harvest handling, including timely drying, proper storage conditions, and protection against pests and diseases, is crucial to maintain the quality of sesame seeds. Inadequate post-harvest practices can lead to rejection due to mold, spoilage, or infestation.
Lack of Quality Infrastructure. Insufficient infrastructure for quality testing and certification can hinder the export process. Establishing quality testing laboratories, certification bodies, and training programs for farmers and exporters can help improve overall product quality.
Traceability Issues. Establishing a robust traceability system that tracks the journey of sesame seeds from farm to export can enhance transparency and accountability in the supply chain. This can help address any issues promptly and prevent rejections.
Collaboration with Regulatory Bodies. Nigerian authorities should collaborate with international regulatory bodies to stay updated on changing import regulations and standards. This can help exporters align their practices with the latest requirements.
To permanently stop the menace of sesame seed rejection by importing countries, Nigeria needs to take the following steps:
Improve agricultural practices. Farmers need to use pesticides and fungicides judiciously and in accordance with the instructions on the label. They also need to store sesame seeds in a clean, dry environment to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
Strengthen quality control measures. Sesame seed exporters need to implement strict quality control measures to ensure that their products meet international standards. This includes testing sesame seeds for pesticide residues, aflatoxins, and microbial contamination.
Educate farmers and exporters. Farmers and exporters need to be educated about the importance of good agricultural practices and quality control. They also need to be aware of the import regulations of importing countries.
Awareness and Education: Many rejections occur due to lack of awareness among farmers and exporters about international quality standards and requirements. Providing training, workshops, and educational materials to stakeholders in the sesame seed supply chain can help improve overall product quality.
Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving all stakeholders in the sesame seed value chain, including farmers, processors, exporters, government agencies, and industry associations. By focusing on improving quality control, adhering to international standards, and promoting best practices, the likelihood of sesame seed rejections can be significantly reduced.
Addendum:
Our company is one of the best companies in the Agro-Export business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
NAFDAC Lists Top 10 Rejected Nigerian Agricultural Commodities Abroad.
The Deputy Director, Export Division, Ports Inspection Directorate, NAFDAC, Sanwo-Olu O.A. stated in an address she delivered at the 3rd CHINET Aviacargo conference in Lagos, that some of the commonly rejected export food commodities from Nigeria from 2018 till date and in the top 10 include Sesame, Beans, Melon seeds, Peanut and Smoked fish/fish meal, Ginger, Spices pepper, Hibiscus flower, Palm oil and Ogbono.
The Deputy Director blamed the high rate of rejection on non-adherence to standardized clearance procedures by stakeholders. She stated this in an address she delivered at the 3rd CHINET Aviacargo conference in Lagos with the title: “Unlocking the Logistics Barrier to Improving Agro Exports Products”.
Enough of High Level Speeches from High Level Government officials, let us settle down and find what actually the problem is and offer practical and effective solutions as people who have been in this business for a long time.
We are going to take the commodities one after the other and do justice to the problems affecting them and offer solutions that are practical and easy to follow and implement.
We Take The First One: Sesame Seed, Why Is This Commodity Usually Rejected By Importing Countries And Needs To Be Done To Permanently Stop The Menace?
Sesame seeds are indeed a valuable commodity in international trade, and Nigeria is one of the major producers and exporters of sesame seeds. However, there have been instances where sesame seeds from Nigeria and other producing countries have been rejected by importing countries.
Some of the common reasons for rejection and measures to address them include:
High levels of pesticide residues. Sesame seeds are often treated with pesticides to protect them from pests and diseases during cultivation and storage. However, if the levels of pesticides are too high, they can be harmful to human health. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of pesticide residues in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Presence of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a type of mycotoxin that can be found in sesame seeds. Aflatoxins are produced by fungi that grow on crops in hot, humid conditions. They are poisonous and can cause serious health problems, including liver damage and cancer. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of aflatoxins in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Microbial contamination. Sesame seeds can be contaminated with bacteria, yeast, and mold. This can happen during cultivation, harvest, processing, or storage. Microbial contamination can cause food poisoning and other health problems. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of microbial contamination in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Foreign matter. Sesame seeds can be contaminated with foreign matter, such as stones, sand, or insects. This can happen during cultivation, harvest, processing, or storage. Foreign matter can make sesame seeds unsafe to eat and can also damage machinery used to process food. Importing countries have strict regulations on the maximum allowable levels of foreign matter in food, and sesame seeds that exceed these limits will be rejected.
Quality and Purity Issues. Importing countries often have stringent quality standards for sesame seeds, including criteria related to purity, cleanliness, and moisture content. Seeds contaminated with foreign matter, mold, or other impurities can be rejected. To address this, it's crucial for Nigerian exporters to invest in proper cleaning, drying, and storage facilities to ensure the seeds meet international quality standards.
Allergen Cross-Contamination. Cross-contamination with allergens (like nuts) during harvesting, processing, or packaging can lead to rejections, especially if proper allergen control measures are not in place. Implementing stringent allergen separation protocols and labeling can help mitigate this issue.
Inadequate Documentation. Accurate and complete documentation, including certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, and quality reports, is necessary for smooth international trade. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can lead to rejection at customs. Exporters should ensure they provide accurate and thorough paperwork.
Inconsistent Sizing and Grading. Sesame seeds are often sorted and graded based on size, color, and purity. Inconsistent sizing and grading can result in rejection. Standardizing the sorting and grading processes and adhering to international grading standards can help prevent this issue.
Post-Harvest Handling. Proper post-harvest handling, including timely drying, proper storage conditions, and protection against pests and diseases, is crucial to maintain the quality of sesame seeds. Inadequate post-harvest practices can lead to rejection due to mold, spoilage, or infestation.
Lack of Quality Infrastructure. Insufficient infrastructure for quality testing and certification can hinder the export process. Establishing quality testing laboratories, certification bodies, and training programs for farmers and exporters can help improve overall product quality.
Traceability Issues. Establishing a robust traceability system that tracks the journey of sesame seeds from farm to export can enhance transparency and accountability in the supply chain. This can help address any issues promptly and prevent rejections.
Collaboration with Regulatory Bodies. Nigerian authorities should collaborate with international regulatory bodies to stay updated on changing import regulations and standards. This can help exporters align their practices with the latest requirements.
To permanently stop the menace of sesame seed rejection by importing countries, Nigeria needs to take the following steps:
Improve agricultural practices. Farmers need to use pesticides and fungicides judiciously and in accordance with the instructions on the label. They also need to store sesame seeds in a clean, dry environment to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
Strengthen quality control measures. Sesame seed exporters need to implement strict quality control measures to ensure that their products meet international standards. This includes testing sesame seeds for pesticide residues, aflatoxins, and microbial contamination.
Educate farmers and exporters. Farmers and exporters need to be educated about the importance of good agricultural practices and quality control. They also need to be aware of the import regulations of importing countries.
Awareness and Education: Many rejections occur due to lack of awareness among farmers and exporters about international quality standards and requirements. Providing training, workshops, and educational materials to stakeholders in the sesame seed supply chain can help improve overall product quality.
Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving all stakeholders in the sesame seed value chain, including farmers, processors, exporters, government agencies, and industry associations. By focusing on improving quality control, adhering to international standards, and promoting best practices, the likelihood of sesame seed rejections can be significantly reduced.
Addendum:
Our company is one of the best companies in the Agro-Export business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
