Adverse Import: Cotonou Pineapple Vs Nigerian Pineapple
I like the tropical fruit called pineapple
and it serves as a sweet base for some of my homemade fruit juices. I have
observed in recent times as I shop in local markets and around town for
pineapple that there are two varieties –
slim-shaped pineapples and robust pineapples.
The slimmer pineapples are
usually the majority available with general purpose or specialized fruit
vendors and can be bought at low prices (between NGN40 – NGN80 a piece
depending on size). On the other hand, the robust variety are sold at relatively
higher prices (between NGN150 – NGN250 a piece).
Of course I usually purchase the cheaper variety because it is readily available in larger quantities than the robust type. Recently, while shopping for fruits at a nearby cluster of sellers, I had bought the robust type (because the slim type was not available) and discovered a difference in colour, taste and texture.
Of course I usually purchase the cheaper variety because it is readily available in larger quantities than the robust type. Recently, while shopping for fruits at a nearby cluster of sellers, I had bought the robust type (because the slim type was not available) and discovered a difference in colour, taste and texture.
On a fact finding mission (during
another market visit) while bargaining for a set of ‘over-priced’ robust
pineapples, market women informed me that the robust pineapples were the
Nigerian variety which they affirmed takes a longer time to harvest and is
richer in fibre and taste.
While the cheaper slimmer pineapple is imported from nearby Cotonou and takes less time to cultivate and harvest. It will interest you to know that I left off purchasing the ‘overpriced’ local variety and looked out for a next stall where I was able to get larger quantity of pineapples at a cheaper price.
To my economist mind, I exclaimed, so it is not only cheap Chinese imports that crowd out domestic manufacturing production in Nigeria, fruit imports also has a potential to crowd out local fruit production.
While the cheaper slimmer pineapple is imported from nearby Cotonou and takes less time to cultivate and harvest. It will interest you to know that I left off purchasing the ‘overpriced’ local variety and looked out for a next stall where I was able to get larger quantity of pineapples at a cheaper price.
To my economist mind, I exclaimed, so it is not only cheap Chinese imports that crowd out domestic manufacturing production in Nigeria, fruit imports also has a potential to crowd out local fruit production.
Utility maximizing and price
sensitive consumers will certainly keep up purchase of the cheaper and more
readily available imported pineapples and refuse to patronize the more ‘expensive’
locally produced pineapples. This has serious implications for rural income,
rural welfare and inclusive growth.
My observation of this real world phenomenon
triggered some questions which I hope research and policy will address in the
coming days: Is the Nigerian Agricultural Transformation Agenda cognisant of the
potential effect of pineapple import on local production and consumption?
How can local pineapple farmers get some training on how to produce more pineapple varieties and in less time? What incentives can be created to increase participation in large-scale local pineapple production with the use of improved seed varieties?
The discussion continues...
Kindly take a (4 minutes only) Survey on determinants of your purchase decisions on pineapple. Thank you.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
How can local pineapple farmers get some training on how to produce more pineapple varieties and in less time? What incentives can be created to increase participation in large-scale local pineapple production with the use of improved seed varieties?
The discussion continues...
Kindly take a (4 minutes only) Survey on determinants of your purchase decisions on pineapple. Thank you.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
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