Sooner rather than later, it may cost at least ₦100 to buy a fresh Benue orange, even in Gboko. A single mango could sell for ₦500 or more.
Gboko, the administrative headquarters of the Tiv people—who are among Nigeria’s largest producers of fruits such as oranges, mangoes, lemons, as well as tubers, roots, and nuts—is surrounded by vast orchards of fruit trees. If an orange already sells for about ₦50 in Gboko, it is easy to imagine how much it will cost after being transported hundreds of kilometres to other parts of the country.
The signs are already clear. Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), has begun implementing Governor Hyacinth Alia’s vision to promote “value for yield and no more wastage” of agricultural produce in Benue State.
Already, Bensono Fruit Processing Company Limited, a fruit concentrate factory located in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has commenced full-scale production following its inauguration on June 27, 2026.
Providing insight into the project, Dr Asemakaha explained that the multi-billion-dollar investment—the first of its kind in Africa—is designed to produce four tonnes of fruit concentrate per hour, amounting to about 40 tonnes over a 10-hour production day.
The company is expected to generate about 600 direct jobs and 5,860 indirect jobs. According to Dr Asemakaha, more than 5,000 farmers have already registered to supply oranges to the factory.
The opportunities extend beyond oranges. Mangoes are also in high demand.
One thing is certain: the factory’s operation presents enormous economic opportunities for farmers, businesses, and the Benue State Government through increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Oranges have always been a valuable cash crop. Even when market prices are low, orchard owners carefully protect their farms because they understand the long-term value of the trees.
Major orange-producing local government areas in Benue State include Vandeikya, Konshisha, Ushongo, Buruku, Gboko, Ukum, Tarka, and Gwer East. Thousands of farmers across these LGAs now have a guaranteed industrial buyer for their produce.
Previously, farmers depended largely on northern traders who travelled to Benue to purchase oranges, as well as on local consumers in towns such as Gboko, Makurdi, Vandeikya, Adikpo, Zaki Biam, Ugba, and Otukpo.
With Bensono’s entry into the market, competition for fresh fruit has intensified. This is likely to create a boom for farmers. While Bensono requires large volumes of fruit to sustain production, northern traders and local consumers will continue competing for the same produce. Naturally, demand will rise.
Economics teaches that when demand rises faster than supply, prices increase. An orange already sells for about ₦50 under current market conditions. Since orange and mango trees produce seasonally, the existing supply may not be sufficient to meet the growing demand from both industrial processors and traditional buyers.
The implication is clear: While farmers may earn more from their harvests, fresh Benue oranges and mangoes could become scarcer—and more expensive—in the open market.
For anyone hoping to benefit from the emerging fruit economy, the time to plant improved orange and mango seedlings is now. The market already exists, and demand is only expected to increase in the years ahead.
Even if you are not planting for commercial purposes, plant for your household. Fruits are an investment not only in wealth but also in health. Regular consumption of fresh fruits strengthens the immune system, improves digestion, supports heart health, and helps maintain a healthy body weight.
The best time to plant an economic tree was years ago. The next best time is today. This is Benue’s next Goldmine. It is growing on trees.
