Agro commodity of the week: Premium Raw Shea Butter
Shea butter is once again in the spotlight and this time, not just for its soothing skincare properties or high demand in the global cosmetics market, but because of a major policy shift that is reshaping Nigeria’s Shea value chain.
In late August 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a six-month ban on export of raw Shea nuts. The measure is part of a “pro-value addition” policy intended to curb informal raw exports, stimulate local processing, and unlock more revenue and jobs across the country.
Why this matters:
Nigeria is one of the world’s largest producers of Shea nuts, responsible for nearly 40% of global supply, yet it accounts for less than 1% of the $6.5 billion global Shea products market—primarily because much of the raw Shea nut has been exported without processing.
The ban aims to redirect supply to local refineries, factories, and processors (“pro-value addition”), ensuring raw Shea nuts are turned into refined Shea butter, oil, and derivatives before export. This is intended to raise yields, create jobs—especially for women who make up over 90% of Shea pickers and processors—and increase earnings for rural communities.
In the short term, the policy is projected to generate about $300 million annually, with potential for much greater gains by 2027 if value addition is sufficiently scaled.
What This Means for Buyers & Suppliers
● For buyers, this is a moment to look for refined Shea butter and value-added Shea products from local suppliers. Getting ahead in sourcing now means being ready to meet global demand as Nigeria ramps up value addition.
● For suppliers and processors, the ban creates increased demand for high-quality raw inputs and a chance to deliver more processed Shea butter products to both domestic and export markets. Suppliers who meet export quality standards stand to benefit most.
● For TBT Agro, this policy underscores our mission: connecting buyers directly to verified suppliers, ensuring product quality, compliance with export standards, and helping stakeholders across the Shea butter value chain maximize benefit from this transition.
If you are looking to purchase bulk Shea butter—now or in preparation for export—TBT Agro has verified, export-ready raw and refined Shea butter from trusted suppliers.
Join Us
If you are a buyer looking for trusted agro commodity sources, or a framer wanting better market access — TBT Agro was built for you.
Visit: https://agro.tbt.com.ng
For partnership or inquires: hello@tbt.com
Lets change the way Nigeria trades — together.