Nigerian yam farmers seek zero-duty export to Europe

The National Association of Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers has urged the Nigerian Government to help facilitate a trade treaty with a duty-free yam export to Europe.

The association in a communique signed by its president, Simon Irtwange, and issued on Sunday in Abuja at the end of a four-day study tour to Ghana said, Nigeria yam exports to the UK attracted a duty (tax) of 9.5 Euros per 100kg unlike their counterparts in Ghana which pay zero export duty.

“The government of Ghana has signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and provisional application of the EU Free Trade Agreement (EUFTA). The trade agreement with the EU makes it possible for Ghana yam exporters to export yams to Europe and the UK duty-free. The Federal Government should sign this agreement.

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The association also appealed that the Federal Government “Should assist by way of pre-export incentives for yam exporters and the provision of warehouse in Lagos to serve as a National Yam Export Pack House.

It also requested the Federal Government to assist them “With the production of cartons/boxes for yam exporters and assist with one-off purchase of two cold trucks to support transportation and export logistics.

“There should be a rationalisation of bureaucracy in yam export making provision for only three agencies located under one roof as a one-stop-shop.

“Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and Nigeria Customs Service should be the agencies for the inspection of yams before export,” the communiqué read.

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