COMPETITIVENESS AND DETERMINANTS OF COCOA EXPORT FROM NIGERIA

Since the introduction of Cocoa into Nigeria in about 1874, it has grown to become the fourth largest exporter in the world with production level, reaching 385, 000 metric tonnes per annum. In view of Nigeria's significant contribution and export capacity to the world volume, the study examined the competitiveness by assessing her export performance and determinants of cocoa export from Nigeria. The Revealed Comparative Analysis (RCA) and multiple regression were employed as analytical tools using data set from various institutional sources that ranged from 1990 to 2005. The outcome of the analyses revealed that Nigeria has comparative advantage in the exportation of cocoa, based on the RCA and RSCA indices. The OLS estimates showed that world export volume, exchange rate and Nigerian cocoa output were determinants of cocoa export from Nigeria. As such, the study recommended that priority should be accorded to the rehabilitation of old cocoa farms and establishment of new ones as a means of sustaining output levels. (Report and Opinion 2010;2(7):51-). (ISSN: 1553-9873).