Inside Nigeria’s multi-billion naira melon market
…Low entry barrier, high ROI drive profitability
Nigeria’s melon (egusi) industry is quietly turning into one of the country’s most lucrative agribusiness frontiers, as rising demand, low entry barriers, and high returns attract both farmers and investors, experts say.
Recent data by Tridge, a food data hub, show that Nigeria produces about 573,000 metric tons of melon annually, while local demand reaches approximately 1.039 million metric tons, based on Foraminifera Market Research data. This leaves a supply gap of roughly 466,000 metric tons, highlighting a significant untapped market potential.
With the commodity now selling at N1.3 million per ton as of October 29, 2025, total production is valued at about N744 billion annually. Experts say that’s only a fraction of what could be achieved if the country bridges its supply gap and scales exports.
As prices of traditional staples such as maize and rice plunge amid import surges and bumper harvests, many farmers are turning to melon as a profitable alternative. Unlike grains, melon offers low input costs and rapid turnover.
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“Ninety-eight percent of melon cultivation, harvesting, and processing in Nigeria is still done manually because there’s been no modern technology that has proven efficient for harvesting melon—presenting a huge opportunity for smart investors to key into,” said David Nkwa, CEO of DNfood Global Limited, an agro-investment company, in a phone conversation.
He added that, “Melon storage can offer between 25 percent and 100 percent or even more, depending on quality, location, the time of storage, and market access.”
Industry players note that most melon exports still occur informally, while local processing remains largely underdeveloped. This, they argue, represents one of the biggest growth frontiers in Nigeria’s non-oil sector.
“There is no time when melon is not in high demand because, at the moment, Nigeria is the largest producer globally, holding 65 percent –70 percent of the market share,” said Tsekohol Denison, an aggregator and investment consultant.
He explained that egusi is not just a Nigerian delicacy but a regional and global one. “I have been to Ghana, and the rate at which they consume melon dishes is quite alarming. Nigerians in the diaspora also cherish egusi soup, making it a good export commodity and a huge market opportunity for investors.”
A study by Francis Ojadi on IntechOpen found that about 50 percent of Nigerian households and eateries consume egusi regularly. “With over 40 million households, even if 25 percent buy just 250g (two milk cups or half derica of peeled egusi) weekly at N1,000, the domestic market alone could generate N10 billion weekly, and N20 billion if half of households consume that much,” one X user wrote.
As National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data show, the average Nigerian household has 5.06 persons and a 0.97 dependency ratio—figures that underscore why affordable, high-yield crops like melon are becoming more appealing.
Government policy shifts are further tilting the scales. In 2024, the federal government granted a N97 billion import waiver on rice, maize, and sorghum for 150 days, which helped in crashing food prices but left local farmers with significant losses.
For context, maize prices fell from N120,000 per 100kg bag in 2024 to about N75,000–N80,000 in 2025, while paddy rice dropped from N100,000 per 100kg bag to between N50,000 and N60,000. In sharp contrast, melon prices surged from N120,000 to about N250,000 per 100kg bag —more than 100 percent increase—a testament to its rising market strength.
From the fields of Benue or Nasarawa, to the kitchens of Lagos and diaspora homes across London and Atlanta, melon is fast becoming more than just a soup condiment. It’s an agricultural goldmine waiting to be fully unlocked.
Economics of melon farming, storage
Melon (egusi) farming is fast emerging as one of Nigeria’s most promising agribusiness opportunities, thanks to its low input costs, short growth cycle, and high returns, experts say.
With a maturing period of just three months to four months, melon offers a quick turnaround for investors seeking faster cash flow. “Planting is done between April and July, while harvests start in August through November depending on planting time,” explained Denison, earlier quoted.
Unlike many crops, melon is naturally protected from grazing animals, as its mature leaves give off a strong scent that repels cows and goats, farmers note. A well-managed hectare can yield about one ton of melon, depending on variety and cultivation practices.
Experts recommend improved varieties, with weeding done twice during the growth period—or just once if intercropped with maize. Optimal planting involves two to three seeds per hole, sown 1.5 cm–2 cm deep and spaced about one meter (three feet) apart.
As of October 29, 2025, a ton of unpeeled melon sells for around N1.3 million, according to Jaytermax Integrated Enterprise.
Beyond farming, storage is a major profit driver. Depending on quality, timing, and market access, stored melon can yield returns of 25 percent to 100 percent or more within months.
Nkwa outlined key success factors for investors to maximise profits.
“Before storing melon, you must buy at the peak season, buy the right quality, have a profit projection, understand market dynamics, identify your buyers, and sell at the right time,” he said.
According to experts, the ideal buying window is September to early December, when supply peaks and prices drop. “Always go for dried, well-seeded, bright-quality melon that sells easily in the market,” Nkwa advised. He added a cautionary note: “In this business, you must not be greedy, otherwise you might lose out.”
Location also determines profit margins. “Sourcing from one local market and selling in cities is one way to make huge profits. Prices vary widely across states,” said Denison.
The major producing states—Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kogi—serve as supply hubs for traders who resell in higher-demand markets across cities. “Just sourcing from a local market in Nasarawa and selling in Abuja gives me crazy profits,” one aggregator shared.
For newcomers, the entry cost remains accessible. “You can start with as little as N1 million to N5 million for melon storage. As a beginner, it’s important to start small and scale,” Nkwa advised.
With rising domestic demand, strong diaspora consumption, and widening supply gaps, melon farming and storage are proving that in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, egusi may just be the next cash crop success story.
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Challenges
Harvesting melon remains a labour-intensive process, with about 98 percent still done manually, experts say. Despite its profitability, the sector continues to face hurdles such as poor storage infrastructure, post-harvest losses, and high logistics costs that eat into farmers’ margins.
To curb these losses, experts recommend strategic buying and selling cycles—purchasing at the peak of the harvest season when prices are low, and selling when demand rises, such as during festive periods or at the start of the planting season.
“Storage must be done in a well-ventilated house with routine monitoring,” advised Denison, emphasising that proper handling and timing remain crucial to maximising returns in the melon business.
Global outlook
Nigeria remains the world’s largest producer of melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.), accounting for about 65 percent –70 percent of global supply, with annual production estimated at 570,000 MT to 573,000 MT. Output has remained relatively stable, showing only a 1.2 percent increase between 2015 and 2025, according to Tridge data.
Other key producers include Ghana (35,000–60,000MT), Cameroon (35,000–50,000 MT) and Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso with a combined (10,000–20,000 MT), based on FAO and Tridge reports. Major export destinations span Asia, South America, Europe, North America, and other African markets.
