Top agro producers have stressed the need to remove  roadblocks for faster export shipment clearance.

The President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr Victor Iyama, has warned that the continuing trend of delaying the carriage of agricultural commodity exports at ports meant significant losses.

He noted that the slow process of clearing agro commodities at ports was taking a toll on exporters, adding that disruptions caused by delay in clearing has led to serious bottlenecks for agriculture exports negatively impact future  export contracts.

In some cases, the stakeholders report that the exporters miss cargo loading times, as well as   cancellation of   orders.

He urged the government to work with the private sector to address shipping delays, adding that a vibrant export sector is critical to growth.

Coordinator, Agribusiness & Youth Empowerment Coordinator, Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON), Sotonye Anga noted that exporters were still feeling the consequences of port congestion.

According to him, delays in the processing of agro exports remain an obstacle.

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Anga listed factors that would help speed up exports, including improving logistics, dealing with the role of customs and investigation agencies to solve problems.

He believes in supporting a comprehensive agricultural export policy to provide an impetus to exports related to the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and food processing sectors.

Anga noted that  congestion at  the  ports still remained, expressing concerns over supply chain disruptions and delays which could result in even higher freight rates for product shipments.

The problems faced by agricultural exporters begin with congestion affecting movement of cargoes through the port access roads.

Agro exporters complained about poor highway network, inefficient rail connections and poorly maintained port facilities causing delays and inflating transport costs.