The palm wine trade is an important economic activity for many tropical rural areas worldwide. In West Africa, palm wine holds high socio-
cultural and traditional values. Today very few people who discovered the secret of the business in the large cities of Nigeria make their living through it; especially in Abuja where there is a beer house is in every location. It is still baffling that a lot of people have not realised that with palm wine business, they can be self employed and also double their incomes within a short period of time considering the way people value it in
comparison to other wines. It is one of the most popular local
relaxation drinks in Nigeria. The Wine is very cheap, as such has become the favorite strong drink used by men and women for relaxation. In fact it is a very big business in the cities and in the village as people drink it every day after work.
Palm wine is one of the many brands of native alcoholic drinks in Nigeria. Other alcoholic drinks types like burukutu, pito and ogogoro are brewed and distilled from either wheat, guinea corn grains or even as a derivative from fermented palm wine, the particular brand called palm wine is gotten straight as sap from either raffia palm or oil palm trees.
Palm wine is traditionally a social drink of the rural people, but in recent times, it has also become a favourite among city dwellers. The palm trees from which palm-wine is derived grow extensively in the southern part of the country, especially the riverine areas. Much of the palm-wine wastes away through lack of proper preservation method, because it goes sour after 24 hours if not properly preserved by scientific means. A preservation method for palm-wine has been perfected locally. It involves pasteurising and bottling of the palm-wine, which increases its shell- life to over six months. This method of palm-wine preservation makes it more hygienic and consequently more attractive to the city dwellers. The equipment required is simple to operate and is fabricated locally.
In the Eastern part of Nigeria, palm wine is known by many names like tombo, pamy, nwoko onye obi ocha (large hearted man), uzunma (epitome of beauty), mmiri Ara umu mbe, (breast milk for the orphan), Nkwu ocha, Nkwuenu, mmanya ngwo, oguro and many others is the number one brand. Among the Igbo people of the South East, the word wine no matter which brand of wine is being referred to, immediately translates to mmanya, which in its literal sense means palm wine. This local wine has the potentials of big business in Nigeria and abroad.
Ms. Esther Okon is a lady in her late twenties who operates a beer joint; she said that even though she sells beers and wines of different brands, yet she feels bad anytime she does not have palm wine in her shop. According to her, palm wine sells more than other ones because people see it as a perfect drink for nkwobi, isiewu and ugba. The good thing about it is that it tastes sweet if it is freshly tapped and sour if stays for some hours, and a lot of people like it when it is sweet while others like the taste when it is sour because it is not as strong as other beers and wine.
is only person selling it in their area. “Since I started selling palm wine, I have made much money from it. In fact, it gives me high profit compare to other drinks because one tumbler is sold for N200 while big tumbler is sold for N250 and I usually sell close to 20 litres.”
thought to be a very nourishing drink which promotes lactation, treats conjunctivitis, and improves eyesight. African traditional healers often infuse palm wine with medicinal herbs to produce a wide variety of remedies and as a result of this, palm wine will continue to boom in the market and it is also affordable for a common man to buy unlike other wine that one has to get like N450 and above to afford it.
She added that considering the low number of entrants into the business, the few people who have ventured into it are enjoying the power market and profit in the palm wine, saying that the market is still under-utilised.
It employs nearly three-quarters of the male population in some villages, providing a monthly income for many sellers and tappers. One village can produce approximately 10 000 Litres of palm wine per day. In Nigeria, the percapitaincomefromwinetappingis estimated to be equal to the country’s per capita income. The palm wine trade represents an important source of income in West Africa.
Ms. Okon said that her major profit comes from Palm wine and has made name from the business because she
Traditionally, palm wine is deeply rooted in West African culture and traditions and thus is the most frequently consumed alcoholic beverage. It is enjoyed at birth celebrations, at funeral wakes, and plays an integral role during traditional marriage ceremonies. It is commonly