The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in collaboration with the California Wine Institute has organised a trade promotion event in Lagos. This is aimed to strengthen agricultural trade ties between Nigeria and the United States.
The event, which connected 18 California wineries with the Nigerian business, featured more than 160 award-winning California wines, from crisp whites to bold reds.
These wines were showcased during a wine tasting event attended by over 120 Nigerian wine importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality industry stakeholders, and wine lovers who discussed the growing market potential for U.S. wines in Nigeria.
In addition to the wine tasting experience, the California Wine Institute organised a specialised seminar for local wine importers and leading Nigeria restaurateurs, highlighting opportunities for mutually beneficial trade.
Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg underscored the pivotal role of the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in expanding U.S.-Nigeria agricultural trade.
She explained that Nigeria was the largest market in Africa for U.S. wines with exports valued at $7.8 million in 2024, a 65 percent increase from 2023.
“The United States is proud to offer the highest quality products to consumers around the world. California wines represent some of the best in the world,” Acting Consul General, Gorg, said.
“Home to over 5,000 wineries, most of them family-owned, multi-generational businesses, California makes over 80 percent of U.S. wine and ranks the 4th among world’s wine producers.”
Vice President for International Marketing at the California Wine Institute, Honore Comfort explained that the trade promotion event was an opportunity to showcase the diversity and quality of California wines that have earned an reputation globally. “We are excited to kick off our 2025 Africa Tasting Tour in Lagos to increase knowledge of and interest in California wines across the continent,” Comfort added.