Crops and season
| Main crops | Maize, Rice, Sorghum, Cassava |
|---|---|
| Sowing window | Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Harvest window | Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct |
What to order, and when
Machines are needed in the yard before the sowing window opens, so plan the order around it.
| Product group | Typical machines | Order / ship window |
|---|---|---|
| Soil preparation | Mounted ploughs, Disc harrows, Power harrows, Subsoilers | Oct, Nov, Dec |
| Seeding & fertilising | Power-harrow seeders, Precision seeders, Fertiliser spreaders | Oct, Nov, Dec |
| Crop protection | Boom sprayers, Air-blast sprayers | Jan, Nov, Dec |
| Forage & baling | Round balers, Square balers, Bale wrappers, Mower conditioners | Jan, Feb, Dec |
| Residue management | Cotton-stalk harvesters, Straw choppers | Jan, Feb, Mar |
| Post-harvest | Grain silos, Grain cleaners, Grain dryers | Jan, Feb, Mar |
Import and certification
SONCAP — product certificate (PC1 about $500, PC2 about $1,000, PC3 about $2,000) plus a $350 shipment certificate per consignment; a SON import permit can be applied for manufacturing machinery.
Payment and currency
The naira was floated in mid-2023 and remains volatile; a large FX backlog has been cleared. Expect project, dealer or turnkey routes rather than retail.
Shipping
CIF to your port or FOB Qingdao. Documents: CI, PL, Certificate of Origin; fumigation / FORM E on request. Lead time is typically 15–35 days after deposit, confirmed on the Proforma Invoice.
Sources: World Bank Logistics Performance Index; US State Department investment-climate reports (currency); national standards bodies (certification). Indicative — confirm on the quotation.