Opportunities in export are endless – Anzaku

Attah Anzaku, CEO of AgroEknor, an international commodity trading firm, says there are enormous opportunities in export business.

Anzaku, who exports hibiscus flower and other agricultural products to Europe, South America and Asia, says that the fact that one country has what another does not have will always present an opportunity for exporters.

“Opportunities in export are endless. God, in His infinite mercies, has made some countries not to have certain products and others to have them. So there will always be international trade no matter how technologically advanced countries are.

“It’s very lucrative. Let me break it down. Basically, what we have been doing over the years is that we have been sending semi-processed crops out and what they do in those countries is to add value and then shoot up the prices. Now, if you want to just make money, maybe because of the foreign exchange involved, you will make money. You can have a nice life and travel once or twice in a while. However, if you want to leave your name in the sand of time, build a brand and earn more money, then you have to add value before you export.

“So, if I am sending cashew nuts in a raw form, I get $800 per ton, but if it is processed, I get close to $2000 per ton. So the money-making thing here is value addition. Why most people are not so interested in exporting value added products is that they are just satisfied with the little dollar they get from raw products. But if that is what you want out of life, good for you. If you go abroad to all the shelves and retail stores, you see most of the things we sell to them. I was in Barcelona around June last year and I saw tiger nuts bar. A tiger nut was selling for 20 euros. if you are selling that in a raw form, you will not get as much as that,” he explains.

ODINAKA ANUDU