Eleven (11) things you should know about exporting Nigerian foods (by Air cargo)

Created at: April 23rd 2021

Updated at: April 30th 2021


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Nigerian snails

If you intend to start a Nigerian food business outside Nigeria or already run one, here are ten (10) things you need to know about exporting Nigerian food items

1) If you understand the process and have required permits and licenses as is required per country, It is possible to legally export certain prohibited Nigerian foods ( like fresh locust beans (iru) , beans, meat products....) to various countries across the world.

2) You can ship live, frozen and oven dried snails to the United Kingdom, America and Canada.

3) The 3 basic things your forwarding agent should be able to provide for you

* An Updated Information on custom regulations for any Nigerian foods you intend to ship.

* A reliable clearing agent that understands the process and has the necessary permit and license documents required to receive your goods from customs in whatever country it is headed.

* The total cost of shipping without any hidden costs springing up after process has been initiated.

4) You have to make wooden crates for palmoil if you are exporting by air cargo.

5) Live snails are packed in wooden crates for air cargo, each crate can take up to 200 jumbo (live) snails and the weight of this is usually about 250kg.

6) When shipping fresh locust beans in bulk quantities, they are to be packed in plastic buckets and tightly wrapped round with shrink wraps ( Be sure the clearing agent has the required permit / license documents to receive them from customs).

7) Frozen snails are shipped in polystrene boxes with dry ice (as seen in post picture) to preserve them till they arrive their destination.

8) At the moment, dry Nigerian leaves ( like ewedu, zobo leaves, ugu) and herbs can't be shipped via air cargo .

9) The custom regulations per country change from time to time, it is therefore important that you update yourself on custom regulations every time you have to ship especially when shipping in bulk quantities.

10) When shipping branded Nigerian food products, make sure you get the exact ingredient list and manufacturer's details you are required to present to regulatory agencies in the destination country .

11) The best way to pack dry fish when shipping by air cargo is in vacuum packs, like ziplocs (they are air tight when sealed), this is so that the fish can retain freshness for longer; also when oven drying the fish, ensure it is slow cooked in the oven before it is then dried. When fish is slow cooked in the oven before it is dried, it cooks through and dries out without the fish burning from the heat in the oven, this adds to the shelf live and taste of the fish.

If your are into food export, We hope you find this export checklist relevant when next you have to ship outside the shores of Nigeria , if you have any questions for us, kindly send an e-mail to themarketfoodshop@gmail.com


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