Things to consider before exporting plants and their products

Acceptable standards and quality assurance of agricultural products for export is region and country specific. As such, importing countries of the world need phytosanitary certificate to accompany Nigerian plant exports. For someone going into export, it is important to find out the standard of the country you wish to export to. Secondly, proper documentation of […]

Acceptable standards and quality assurance of agricultural products for export is region and country specific. As such, importing countries of the world need phytosanitary certificate to accompany Nigerian plant exports.

For someone going into export, it is important to find out the standard of the country you wish to export to.

Secondly, proper documentation of key documents like products description, quantity, packaging, etc. is needful.

A phytosanitary certificate confirms that quarantine inspection has been carried out by the accredited officers of the Nigerian Agricultural quarantine Service (NAQS) and the consignment of plants/plant is pest-free at the time of examination.

It also states whether or not any form of treatment has been carried out on the consignment. This certificate is vital for the export to be accepted into the importing country.

Prior to issuance of this certificate, prospective exporters need to request for phytosanitary inspection of their consignments by filling the appropriate forms and payment of a token fee. Each consignment needs its phytosanitary certificate.

Another key thing to get is laboratory certification detailing contents such as pesticides, microbes, mycotoxins, including physical attributes like shape, colour, moisture, dust and particles content.

The consignment also has to be traceable and from registered farms with history of seedlings/cuttings, and with proper nutritional quality. In addition, proper labelling specifying details like shelf life, storage temperature etc. is also critical.

The next thing to do is to notify local regulatory authorities and the off-takers of the consignment abroad of the intended export. Doing this ensures that the final checks as to documentations pertaining a particular product is met.

Source: http://www.naqs.gov.ng/importexport-requirements/plant.html