Turkish Investors Eye 1,500 Tonnes of Taraba Products Quarterly
• Plans “Taraba Coffee” flagship outlet in Istanbul
• Highland Tea, chocolate targeted for Turkish, European markets
• Investors expected in Taraba for talks with Gov Kefas
• Deal subject to quality checks, supply capacity and commercial negotiations
By Taraba News
Taraba State’s drive to take locally produced agricultural products to the international market has received a major boost, with prospective investors in Türkiye expressing interest in purchasing at least 1,500 tonnes of Taraba agricultural products every quarter.
The proposed transaction emerged from a high-level Made in Taraba Investors’ Tour engagement held at the Hilton Hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye, where the state delegation met business executives, coffee-shop operators, production executives and prospective investors.
The investors are particularly interested in Taraba’s coffee, Highland Tea and chocolate value chains, with discussions also opening the possibility of establishing a branded “TARABA COFFEE” flagship retail outlet in Istanbul.
If successfully concluded, the Istanbul outlet could become a direct international retail platform for coffee produced in Taraba, while Highland Tea and Taraba Chocolate could also be distributed and promoted through the same market network.
There are also prospects of expanding the retail concept beyond Istanbul to other cities in Türkiye and eventually into the wider European market.
1,500 Tonnes Every Three Months
One of the most significant outcomes of the engagement was the expression of interest by prospective investors to purchase at least 1,500 tonnes of Taraba agricultural products quarterly for the Turkish market.
That translates to a potential 6,000 tonnes annually if the proposed minimum quarterly volume is sustained.
However, Taraba News notes that the 1,500-tonne proposal is not yet a completed purchase agreement.
The prospective investors made the volume conditional on further technical discussions, verification of product quality, reliable supply arrangements and agreement on acceptable commercial terms. Investors reportedly indicated that the quantity could eventually increase if international demand grows.
The distinction is important: the development represents a potentially significant commercial opportunity for Taraba, but the expression of interest must still be converted into binding supply and investment agreements.
Investors Taste Taraba Coffee, Highland Tea
During an investors’ breakfast meeting on Saturday, participants sampled Taraba Coffee and Highland Tea while the state delegation presented opportunities in agriculture, processing, value addition and market development.
The Taraba delegation was led by Peter George, immediate past Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry and currently Commissioner for Water Management and Aquatic Affairs.
Among those engaged were Hamza Hakkında of Unkur Akışkanlı Börek/COOFF TEA and Yasin Çaylı, Production and Operations Director of NOUVELIFE Company, alongside other prospective business partners.
The engagement followed an earlier round of investment discussions in Istanbul focusing on agriculture, agro-processing, value-chain development and natural resources. The delegation was also expected to continue its European investment engagements in Spain.
From Raw Produce to Taraba Brands
Beyond the proposed export volume, the emerging arrangement could become more significant if Taraba succeeds in exporting finished and branded products rather than primarily raw agricultural commodities.
The state government’s stated objective is to develop processing, packaging, branding, distribution and international retail opportunities so that a larger share of the economic value generated from Taraba’s agricultural resources remains within the state.
A successful Taraba Coffee outlet in Istanbul would therefore represent more than another export destination. It could provide an opportunity to establish a recognisable Taraba agricultural brand in an international consumer market.
Such an arrangement could create opportunities across the production chain—from farmers and processors to packaging companies, transporters, exporters and other small businesses.
Tyopuusu: We Are Taking Taraba Products to the World
Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy, Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu, said the objective of the Istanbul engagement was to establish commercially viable partnerships rather than merely showcase the state’s agricultural potential.
He said the interest generated in Istanbul demonstrated the possibilities available when Taraba products are properly branded and connected with international markets.
According to him, the proposed partnerships will still require detailed negotiations covering quality standards, processing requirements, logistics, pricing and sustainable supply arrangements.
The international marketing drive forms part of the Kefas administration’s wider efforts to attract private investment, technology and international markets to the state.
Investors May Visit Taraba
The next critical stage could take place inside Taraba itself.
Prospective investors have indicated interest in visiting the state for further discussions with Governor Agbu Kefas and to assess production capacity, investment opportunities and the practical arrangements required to establish the proposed partnerships.
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Such a visit could provide investors an opportunity to examine the farms and processing facilities behind the products they sampled in Istanbul and determine whether Taraba can consistently meet the quality and volume required for a long-term export arrangement.
Big Opportunity, But Questions Remain
The proposed 1,500 tonnes quarterly represents an important opportunity, but several issues will need to be clarified as negotiations progress.
Among them are exactly which commodities will make up the 1,500 tonnes; how much of the volume will be coffee, tea, chocolate or other agricultural produce; the proposed monetary value of the purchases; the participating Turkish companies; required international quality certifications; who will handle processing and packaging; logistics from Taraba to Türkiye; and when commercial exports could commence.
It will also be important to establish whether the proposed Taraba Coffee outlet will be owned by the state, private investors, Taraba producers or operated under a joint commercial arrangement.
For farmers, perhaps the most important question will be how the proposed international market translates into higher and more stable incomes at farm level.
Taraba already has ambitions to substantially expand coffee and tea production. The National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria said in 2025 that an outgrower initiative was onboarding more than 4,000 hectares of new coffee and tea farms in Taraba, with emphasis on youth participation and export growth.
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If the Istanbul discussions ultimately result in firm purchase contracts, the proposed quarterly demand could therefore provide an important test of Taraba’s ability to move from investment promotion to sustained agricultural production, processing and exports.
For now, the Turkish interest represents a promising opening rather than a concluded deal.
The next major development will be whether the proposed investors’ visit to Taraba results in signed commercial agreements, defined investment figures and a timetable for the first shipment of Taraba products to Türkiye.
