When is hibiscus harvested in Nigeria? A buyer’s calendar

If you buy dried hibiscus in bulk, knowing when it is harvested in Nigeria helps you plan: when to order, when new crop is available and how long it takes to load your container.

Where Nigerian hibiscus comes from

Almost all production is in the north of the country. Jigawa, Kano and Katsina are the main producing states, and it is also grown in Gombe and Niger. Locally it is called zobo. Nigerian hibiscus has a deep red colour and a natural tart flavour, which is what tea, beverage and colourant manufacturers look for.

The harvest months

The plant is sown with the rains and the calyces are picked when they are mature, towards the end of the rainy season. In some areas harvesting starts in September and October, and the main supply period is the dry season, from November to April. That is why new-crop dried hibiscus is usually available for export from November.

A tip: when you ask for a quote, always ask which crop the product comes from. We are currently selling the 2026 crop.

What happens after the harvest

The calyces are dried under controlled conditions, sorted by hand and by machine to remove soil, stones and plant debris, and checked against export grade and the buyer’s specification. They are then packed in 25 kg bags.

How to plan your order

• Once the order is confirmed, preparing and loading the container takes about 15 days.
• The minimum order is one 40 ft container, which holds about 12 to 13 tons in 25 kg bags.
• Containers are loaded at Lagos port (Apapa or Tin Can Island). We sell FOB or CFR.
• Add the sea transit time to your destination port.

If you need the product by a specific date, for example ahead of the peak season for cold drinks, order several weeks in advance.

Want to know what is available from the 2026 crop? Send us the quantity, destination port and preferred Incoterm, and we will send you a quote.

Sources

• Our website: FAQ
• The Guardian Nigeria: Getting best of hibiscus flower for export
• BusinessDay: Hibiscus farming creating wealth for Nigerian communities
• Study on sowing dates in Nigeria (Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 2017)