Introduction
The shea nut is the seed of the fruit of the shea tree. The fruit portion is typically removed to retrieve the hard-shelled nut. Shea nut is a very oil-rich seed. It may help soothe conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Shea’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin and relieve itching. This may prove especially helpful for inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Shea also absorbs rapidly, which could mean quick relief for flare-ups.
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Uses
Shea nuts is a key ingredient in making:
- OilÂ
- ButterÂ
- SoapÂ
Production, export, import and consumption in Nigeria
Production= 345708, Export= Unavailable, Import= Unavailable. (source: FAOSTAT)
Growing Shea nuts
“It takes approximately 20 to 25 years for a shea tree to mature and begin fruiting. Shea nut trees only grow in the wild and cannot be domesticated, maturity in exceptional cases can be associated with wild fires which keep destroying young trees, animal herding and damages to the trees during land preparation and farming.  Â
Sowing and harvest period
A shea-tree needs between 8 and 15 years until the first harvest but some time longer to reach full capacity. A tree can yield of 15 to 20 kg of fresh fruit that will produce 3 to 4 kg of dry kernels. The kernels are made up of 42 to 48% oil.Â
Women and children collect the fallen fruit and take them back to their villages for processing into shea butter, an edible fat. Harvest is at the beginning of the rainy season. Harvest prospects are subject to considerable fluctuations.Â
Main Producing States in Nigeria.
- Kwara
- Niger
- Kogi
- Kebbi
- Ogun.
Relevant Agencies in Nigeria.
- National Shea Products Association of NigeriaÂ
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