CEO of Davidorlah Nigeria Limited, Segun Alabi has Nigeria’s pineapple industry holds vast untapped economic potential, with opportunities spanning farming, processing, and exports, according to,
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Alabi said the country could unlock billions of dollars by shifting from raw pineapple sales to value-added production, including fruit concentrate and bromelain extraction.
“Pineapple has gone beyond roadside markets. The value chain is so wide. As a matter of fact, we have more demand than we can meet. When demand is higher than supply, then there is room for expansion,” he said.
Alabi revealed that investor interest in pineapple farming is rapidly growing, with the company’s second phase of its farm estate nearly sold out.
“As of today, the second phase of our pineapple farm estate is almost sold out, and I believe the next time I’m here, we’ll be talking about phase three,” he said.
He added that the business is attracting international attention, noting that a group of investors from Atlanta, United States, recently visited the farm.
“They asked a simple question: if this opportunity is so big, where are the Nigerians? Opportunities are always around us, but many people don’t see them,” Alabi said.
Central to Alabi’s argument is the need for Nigeria to stop exporting raw agricultural products and instead focus on processing.
“If I sell a pineapple raw, it may go for about ₦5,000. But if I harness all the value chain in that same pineapple, I can generate up to ₦20,000. Why export raw materials and import finished products?” he said.
He disclosed that the company is finalising plans to launch Nigeria’s first pineapple fruit concentrate facility within 90 days.
“We are not just setting up a pineapple factory. It is a zero-waste system. The fruit will be used for concentrate, while the waste will be converted to bromelain,” he explained.
According to him, bromelain—a compound used in pharmaceutical, beverage, and food industries—has a global market value projected in billions of dollars.
“Pharmaceutical companies need bromelain. Beverage companies need it. Fruit companies need it. The market value in the next 10 years is in billions of dollars,” he said.
Alabi stressed that developing the pineapple value chain could significantly boost Nigeria’s economy by reducing imports and creating jobs.
“All the companies producing fruit juice in Nigeria import fruit concentrate. If we produce locally, we reduce imports, attract foreign exchange, and create employment,” he said.
He projected that the company’s processing facility alone could generate between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs.
“When you create employment, you reduce crime rate. That is part of what we are contributing to Nigeria’s economy,” he added.
Addressing concerns about risks, including climate variability and insecurity, Alabi said irrigation and insurance mechanisms have been put in place.
“One of the risks in pineapple farming is water. Not that the crop will die, but you may not get the desired size. That is why we have boreholes for irrigation,” he said.
“Our farm is comprehensively insured. If anything happens beyond human control, the insurance company steps in to help resuscitate the investment,” he added.
He noted that while such incidents may delay returns, investors are compensated for the delay.
“If there is a delay, investors get an additional percentage based on the prevailing market value. In almost 10 years, we have not made a single insurance claim,” Alabi said.
Despite being the world’s eighth-largest pineapple producer, Nigeria still imports the fruit, a gap Alabi described as a major opportunity.
“Nigeria is still importing pineapple, which means we produce less than we consume. This is an opportunity to meet local demand and even export,” he said.
Alabi outlined an investment model where individuals can purchase plots of farmland, which are then managed by the company.
“A plot currently sells for ₦3 million, while an acre is ₦18 million. Investors receive 36 percent of their purchase value annually over five years,” he said.
He also announced discounted rates for early investors.
“We are offering a promo for the first 200 subscribers. A plot goes for ₦2.8 million, and an acre is ₦16.4 million. If you pay upfront, it drops to ₦16 million,” he said.
Alabi identified poor infrastructure as a major contributor to post-harvest losses and called for government intervention.
“Most rural roads are not motorable. Farmers struggle to transport produce to markets where they can get better value,” he said.
“Government needs to create an enabling environment—good roads, stable electricity, and support for local processing,” he added.
With plans to process up to 200 metric tonnes of pineapple daily, Alabi said the sector presents a scalable and sustainable opportunity for investors and the broader economy.
“This factory alone will consume at least 100 metric tonnes per day initially. The opportunity is massive—not just for Nigerians but for global investors,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
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