Trade Director asks Association to brand Nigerian Apple

  The Director, Commodity and Export Department (CED), Federal Ministry Industry and Trade (FMITI) Mr. Suleman Adebayo Audu has advised on the need to uniquely distinct the productivity of  Nigerian apple with competitive standard that will give it an edge over others on the globe.

 Mr. Audu said this during a meeting with the National Apple Farmers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAFPMAN) executives and the FMITI.

  Audu stressed the need to differentiate the brand of Nigerian apple from other foreign products through standard productivity that would ensure acceptability anywhere for its consumption competitive distinction from others in both local and international markets.

He clamors for high production of apples towards availability so that more Nigerians can have enough to consume at an affordable price, adding there is a need for more awareness on why people should eat apples for the health benefit.

The director emphasised also the need to differentiate organic apples from inorganic saying that ‘' we need to promote apple, as we need to change the narrative that Nigeria does not produce an apple. The difference between organic and non-organic apple needs to be clearly stated as there is a need for a trademark that will differentiate the organic from the non-organic’’

Speaking on the occasion, the National President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) and a board member of apple association, Dr. Victor Iyama, who said the higher production of apples in the country would help to mitigate import bill on the produce saying ’’for a while, Nigeria has been spending a huge amount of money to import apple into the country without thinking of it being produced locally’’

Iyama advised on local patronage of the nationally grown apple for both economic empowerment and health improvement for Nigerians through consistent consumption of one per day.

The pioneering president of NAFPMAN, Mr. Clement Omoyemi Ohikhueme said that the fear of not being able to grow apples in Nigeria has been allayed, as apples can be grown almost everywhere in Nigeria now, unlike when we use to have a few people growing the produce from just one region alone.

Ohikhueme said that the apple executives are ready to ensure that the produce is locally grown to make them available and affordable for purchase in the local and international markets.

While responding to questions asked, the president said that Apple can be grown anywhere in the country, explaining that it will help us do away with imported ones, noting that the integrity of most of the apples available on the street today has been compromised. Looking at what they have been exposed to before landing in Nigeria.

 He stressed, if supported by the federal government, the Nigerian apple association will produce more than the demand for apples in the country.