U.S. wine exports to Nigeria have reached a record high of $7.8 million in 2024, marking a 65% increase from previous years and solidifying Nigeria’s position as the top African market for American wines.
JoEllen Gorg, the acting U.S. consul general, made this announcement at a trade promotion event in Lagos, which was organized by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in collaboration with the California Wine Institute. The event brought together 18 California wineries and the Nigerian business community to foster stronger agricultural trade ties between the two nations.
The wine tasting event featured over 160 award-winning California wines, including a variety of whites and reds, and attracted more than 120 participants, including Nigerian wine importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality industry stakeholders, and wine enthusiasts. Attendees discussed the growing market potential for U.S. wines in Nigeria.
In addition to the tasting experience, the California Wine Institute hosted a specialized seminar for Nigerian wine importers and restaurateurs, exploring opportunities for mutually beneficial trade.
Gorg emphasized the increasing demand for U.S. wines in Nigeria, noting the crucial role of the Foreign Agricultural Service in enhancing U.S.-Nigeria agricultural trade. She also highlighted that California produces over 80% of U.S. wine, ranking fourth among the world’s wine producers, with more than 5,000 wineries, many of which are family-owned, multi-generational businesses.
Honore Comfort, vice president for international marketing at the California Wine Institute, spoke on the event’s importance, noting that it was part of the 2025 Africa Tasting Tour aimed at boosting awareness and interest in California wines across the continent. The tour will also make stops in Nairobi, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa.
The Foreign Agricultural Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helps American and Nigerian agribusinesses connect and thrive in the rapidly evolving agricultural and food markets, enhancing trade and development opportunities.
