U.S. Exports $7.8 Million Worth of Wines to Nigeria in 2024
Nigeria has emerged as the largest African market for wines from the United States, with imports valued at $7.8 million in 2024, marking a significant 65 percent rise compared to 2023.
This was revealed by the Acting U.S. Consul General, JoEllen Gorg, at a trade promotion event in Lagos organized by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in partnership with the California Wine Institute. Gorg emphasized that the Mission remains committed to strengthening agricultural trade between the two nations, noting that California wines are among the finest in the world.
“The United States is proud to deliver products of the highest quality to consumers globally, and California wines represent some of the very best,” she said. “California is home to over 5,000 wineries, most of them family-owned businesses passed down through generations, and produces more than 80 percent of all U.S. wines, ranking fourth among the world’s largest wine producers.”
Honore Comfort, Vice President for International Marketing at the California Wine Institute, explained that the Lagos event was part of a broader effort to highlight the diversity and excellence of California wines, which have continued to gain global recognition. “We are thrilled to begin our 2025 Africa Tasting Tour here in Lagos as we work to deepen knowledge and appreciation of California wines across the continent,” Comfort stated.
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The promotion created a platform for 18 California wineries to engage directly with the Nigerian business community, further cementing trade and investment ties between both countries.
During the event, over 160 award-winning wines, ranging from crisp whites to bold reds, were presented to an audience of more than 120 Nigerian wine importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality players, and enthusiasts. Attendees not only sampled the wines but also explored the opportunities within Nigeria’s rapidly growing wine market.
As part of the program, the California Wine Institute also hosted a specialised seminar tailored for Nigerian importers and leading restaurateurs. The session focused on highlighting the expanding trade prospects between both nations and fostering collaborations that would benefit stakeholders in both markets.
