Cocoyam Marketing in Nigerian Economy: Issues and Challenges

This study examined the current status of cocoyam (Colocasia and Xanthosoma spp) in Nigeria. The research found out that cocoyam is ranked after cassava and yam as one of the most important staple food crops among the roots and tubers cultivated and consumed in the country. The crop (cocoyam) is an important source of income and employment for the rural farming households especially in Southeast part of the country. Compared to cocoyam production, cocoyam marketing has received less attention by researchers and policy makers. On the cocoyam global market, China is the leading exporter of cocoyam followed by Mexico, USA and Canada, even though cocoyam production levels in these countries are not as high as those of the top five producers in African countries namely; Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Madagascar and Burundi respectively. Research shows that China (with export value of $417.18 million) remained the number one exporter of cocoyam, followed by Mexico ($264.49 million), USA ($161.01 million) and Canada ($141.96 million). The low value addition of the cocoyam in the country makes is export competition very low comparable to other nations like China, USA among others. The research recommends that there is need for development of a comprehensive cocoyam marketing strategy in Nigeria.