The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has claimed that poor packaging, insufficient testing, certification gaps, and a lack of quality assurance are the main reasons why Nigerian goods get rejected.
The Punch reported that according to data from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, over 70% of Nigeria’s food exports are turned down by foreign buyers, costing both the exporters and the country a significant amount of money.
Experts claim that 30% of rejections are due to inadequate packing and labeling.
Speaking to businessmen in Lagos, SON Director-General Mallam Farouk stressed the pressing necessity for Nigerian industries to uphold strict quality standards.
Farouk claimed that “some of our items are rejected abroad because they do not match specific specifications. Standards for quality must be followed.”
He urged businesses to concentrate on raising the caliber of their products and making sure they adhere to the necessary requirements.
Farouk advised companies to work with SON to create and uphold international quality standards for Nigerian goods in order to increase their acceptance on the world market.
He stated, “Collaborate closely with regulatory bodies for guidance. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of cooperation among industries, consumers, and regulatory organizations.”
He cautioned that the usage of chemical-containing pesticides and fertilizers could result in the rejection of some food exports.
