Nigeria Imported N8bn Worth of Cassava Sweetener – Report

Nigeria imported about 7,700 metric tonnes of sorbitol valued at N8 billion ($6.1 million) in 2023, underscoring the country’s reliance on foreign industrial sweeteners, according to a new report by the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA).

The report, NCIA Insights: Unlocking Cassava’s Industrial Value through Sorbitol Production, noted that Nigeria’s demand for sweeteners is projected to reach 2.15 million metric tonnes in 2026, while local production capacity remains at just 53,000 tonnes — meeting only 2.5 percent of national demand.

Sorbitol, widely used in pharmaceuticals, oral care products, confectioneries, and food processing, is typically produced from corn starch. However, NCIA stressed that cassava’s high starch content makes it a viable alternative feedstock. “As the world’s largest cassava producer, Nigeria has a clear opportunity to produce sorbitol locally and serve demand across multiple industries,” the report stated.

Psaltry International Company Limited was identified as one of the few firms addressing the supply gap. In 2022, it commissioned Nigeria’s first cassava‑based sorbitol plant in Iseyin, Oyo State, with a production capacity of 25 tonnes per day.

NCIA detailed the production process, from cassava intake and starch extraction to enzymatic conversion into glucose syrup and hydrogenation into sorbitol. Efficient starch recovery, it noted, is crucial for yield and profitability.

The report highlighted sorbitol’s extensive industrial applications, including toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, and pharmaceuticals, and urged investment in cassava‑based production to reduce import dependence.

Analysts say scaling up cassava sorbitol production could strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and food industries, conserve foreign exchange, and position the country as a regional hub for industrial sweeteners.