Chinese Buyers of Nigerian Agricultural Products: How to Reach Them

Chinese buyers of Nigerian agricultural products are mostly importers, traders and processors that buy sesame, and in some reported cases ginger and soybean, though cocoa and cashew from Nigeria are mainly reported going to Europe, Vietnam and India. To reach Chinese buyers you need a product that passes Chinese import checks, a serious sample, a buyer you have vetted and a payment method that protects you. China's zero-tariff announcement for African countries may help, but check your exact product first.

What China is reported to buy from Nigeria

In Nigerian trade data for 2025 reported by Nairametrics, China appears as a destination for sesame seeds, alongside Japan, Turkey and Greece. Sesame was Nigeria's fourth-largest agricultural export that year at roughly ₦456 billion, though that was down about 25% on 2024. Another report on third-quarter 2025 mentioned China as a sesame market but gave no figures for it.

In December 2022, a programme run by the National Youth Service Corps with Zeenab Foods Ltd was reported to have started exporting ginger, sesame and soybean to China, citing demand for about 17,000 metric tonnes. That report is old and we could not confirm how the programme developed, so use it as background, not as a promise of a market.

If you want to see how China fits among all Nigerian exports, read the full list of Nigerian agricultural export products.

What China zero tariff means for Nigeria

As reported by Reuters via MalayMail in February 2026, Chinese state media said China would apply zero-tariff treatment to imports from the 53 African countries it has diplomatic relations with, from 1 May 2026. That report did not give tariff lines, origin rules or a legal basis. A later trade-press report said the scheme covers all tariff lines, and another analysis said oilseeds, coffee and cocoa had faced rates of roughly 3% to 15% before. We could not verify the official product list, so confirm directly with the Chinese customs and commerce notices, your buyer and your freight forwarder.

Also note that the same analysis argued tariffs are not the main obstacle. It pointed to port logistics, traceability gaps, complex sanitary and phytosanitary rules and reliance on intermediaries. A lower tariff will not save a shipment that fails inspection. For more, see our export to China from Africa zero-tariff guide.

Standards and inspection: what to expect

We could not find a clear public list of Chinese import requirements for each Nigerian product, so treat the following as general. Chinese buyers typically ask for a written specification, a sample, a phytosanitary certificate from NAQS for plant products and a certificate of origin. Some buyers also ask for inspection reports from independent firms. Your buyer or their agent in China should tell you which documents Chinese authorities will check on arrival. Ask early and in writing. Do not assume that a product accepted in Europe is accepted in China, or the reverse.

How to find Chinese importers of agro products

Chinese importers agro buyers use are a mix of large trading houses, food processors and smaller wholesalers. When you look at what China imports from Nigeria, remember that official trade data mixes many products, so a buyer's own order is a better guide than a headline number. If you want to sell sesame to China, start by asking buyers what grade, purity and packing they want.

• Ask for introductions. NEPC can tell you which programmes, trade fairs or buyer missions are open to Nigerian exporters. Ask what is available now.
• Use marketplaces. Post your product or answer sourcing requests. Buyers from many countries use online platforms to find suppliers.
• Trade fairs. Chinese import and food fairs bring many buyers together. Check costs and visa needs before planning.
• Trading companies. Some Chinese importers use agents. Ask who is the final buyer and who pays.

To widen your options, read how to find international buyers for your agro products.

Samples, contracts and payment safety

Send a sample that matches the lot you will ship, and keep a retained sample with the same batch number. Put price, quantity, quality limits, packing, delivery terms, inspection and dispute handling in a written contract. Avoid shipping on trust alone. Letters of credit, or part-payment before shipment, protect new exporters better than open account. Nigerian rules also require export proceeds to be repatriated through approved banks, so talk to your bank early.

Be careful with fake buyers. Warning signs include requests for upfront fees, unrealistic prices, pressure to ship quickly or refusal to share company details. See our scam alert page.

Cocoa and cashew to China

People often ask how to export cocoa cashew to China, and what the China zero tariff Nigeria exporters read about will really change. Reports show Nigeria's cocoa mainly going to the Netherlands, Belgium and Malaysia, and its raw cashew to Vietnam and India. A 2022 study noted that Chinese demand for cocoa was growing quickly from a low base. That could create openings, but we have not seen Nigerian volume figures to China, so do not plan around them without a buyer's order.

Before any shipment, write down who is responsible for what: who books freight, who pays port charges, who arranges inspection and who bears the cost if goods are held. Chinese buyers and Nigerian sellers often assume different things. Ask your forwarder to explain each shipping term in plain words, and keep copies of every certificate. If a buyer asks you to change the product after you have shipped, treat that as a new negotiation, not as a routine request.

Frequently asked questions

Does Nigeria export sesame to China? Yes, China appears among reported sesame destinations in 2025 data.

Is Nigerian cocoa tariff-free in China now? China announced zero tariffs for 53 African countries from 1 May 2026, but confirm covered products and origin-proof requirements officially.

Do I need a Chinese agent? Not always, but local help with inspection and customs can reduce risk. Check any agent carefully.

What if my shipment fails inspection? You may face delays, costs or rejection. Agree in the contract who bears these costs.

Getting started

Quality and trust come first. Choose one product, prepare a sample and spec sheet and approach two or three buyers carefully. Comilmart is a marketplace connecting buyers with verified sellers across Africa; you can create an account to list your products, or browse food and agro listings to see how sellers present them. Comilmart is run by the same team that publishes this guide.