Nigeria’s six-month ban on raw shea nut exports has split the industry hurting female pickers while benefiting local processors.
The government introduced the ban in August to encourage local value addition and job creation. Officials say the move will help Nigeria retain more profit from shea butter exports used in cosmetics and food.
However, rural women who collect shea nuts report sharp income losses as prices have plunged by about one-third. Many say buyers have stopped visiting their communities.
“Our nuts are rotting at home,” said Aisha Musa, a picker in Kwara State. “We have no one to sell to.”
Processors, on the other hand, welcome the policy, saying cheaper raw materials will allow them to expand production and export refined products.
Industry experts warn that Nigeria currently lacks the processing capacity to handle all the nuts, risking waste and deeper hardship for rural workers.
“The goal is good, but the rollout was too sudden,” said economist Tunde Afolayan. “Without support for small processors and pickers, the pain may outweigh the gain.”
The government says the ban is temporary and will be reviewed after six months. For now, the industry remains divided between pickers who lose and processors who stand to gain.
