Abstract: Crop produce rejection is an important issue in Nigeria, affecting exporters’ livelihood, economic development and food security. This study examined the socio-demographic determinants of crop produce rejection among crop exporters in Nigeria. The study used primary data sourced from a total of 305 crop produce exporters that are present in five of six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data were sourced with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square correlation, and Ordinary least square regression model. Based on the findings, the Nigerian crop produce exporters had an average age of 42 years, majority (87.87%) were male, married (82.30%), and attained higher education (72.46%). A high proportion (29.51%) financed their export businesses with personal savings, most (64.92%) had between 1-10years of export experience and were southwest dwellers (66.56%). Cocoa was the most exported crop (61.97%). On the average, crop produce had been exported, intercepted, and rejected 59 times, 2 times, and 1 time, respectively. There were significant relationships between exporters’ socio-demographic characteristics (age, years of export experience, source of funding) and crop produce rejection at p<0.01. At p<0.10, exporters being male and using family funds for export business, and at p<0.01, times of interception and dwelling in Sout-East zone positively influenced (increased) crop produce rejection, while attainment of at least secondary educational (p<0.01) negatively influenced (decreased) crop produce rejection in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends more effective capacity building programmes, especially in the South-East zone, through the      Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, on necessary phytosanitary measures to reduce the interception times. It also suggests strengthening of access to affordable credit options and information on requirements of the destination countries.

Keywords: Crop Produce Exporters, Produce Interception, Phytosanitary Measures, Produce Rejection