Carl DIB Merchandising Limited, a major importer of wines, spirits, and FMCG products, has officially introduced premium Canadian wines to the Nigerian market.
According to the company’s Export Manager for West Africa, Charles Onyedibe, the move was influenced by the increasing number of Nigerians living in Canada and the desire to give them access to familiar wines upon visiting or returning home. The launch highlights include 20 variants of high-end Canadian wines, especially “Canadian Ice Wines” from the celebrated Reif Estate Winery based in Niagara, Ontario.
At the launch event themed “Taste the elegance of Canadian wine making”, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Abulu, attended and underscored the deepening economic and cultural ties between the two nations, particularly through trade and people-to-people connections.
Carl DIB said the market reception has been encouraging in the few outlets where the wines are already on sale. To meet anticipated demand, especially during the coming festive season, the company plans to expand distribution and open additional branches in major Nigerian cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
Notably, the introduction of premium Canadian wines aligns with a broader shift in Nigeria’s wine-consumption habits. According to recent market data, wine consumption in Nigeria is rising, especially among urban, younger, middle- and high-income consumers.
Nigeria’s wine market, estimated at around US$420 million annually has been growing steadily. The arrival of premium imports like Canadian Ice Wine suggests increasing demand for high-quality, imported beverages, presenting opportunities for trade, foreign exchange inflows, and retail-sector growth.
