Africa: Cocoa Bean Market 2025

Cocoa Bean Market Size in Africa

The African cocoa bean market expanded remarkably to $X in 2022, rising by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cocoa Bean Production in Africa

In value terms, cocoa bean production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Nigeria (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Ghana (X tons), together comprising 88% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +6.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average cocoa bean yield expanded slightly to X kg per ha in 2022, with an increase of 2.8% compared with 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the yield increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cocoa bean harvested area expanded markedly to X ha in 2022, with an increase of 6.3% against 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cocoa Bean Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of cocoa beans were exported in Africa; waning by -7.2% on the year before. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, cocoa bean exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) was the largest exporter of cocoa beans, creating 47% of total exports. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 23% share, followed by Cameroon (13%) and Nigeria (9.6%).

Exports from Cote d'Ivoire increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cameroon (+9.9%) and Ghana (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cameroon emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +9.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Nigeria (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana increased by +16, +7.5 and +4.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Ghana ($X) and Cameroon ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 86% share of total exports.

Cameroon, with a CAGR of +10.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 18% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cameroon (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cocoa Bean Imports

Imports in Africa

Cocoa bean imports shrank to X tons in 2022, falling by -14.4% on 2021 figures. In general, imports showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 148% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cocoa bean imports dropped markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 140%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Ghana (X tons) was the key importer of cocoa beans, generating 71% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Tunisia (X tons) and Algeria (X tons), together mixing up a 22% share of total imports. The following importers - Uganda (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) - each accounted for a 5% share of total imports.

Imports into Ghana decreased at an average annual rate of -3.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Uganda (+45.6%) and Swaziland (+6.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uganda emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +45.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Nigeria (-9.8%), Tunisia (-10.9%) and Algeria (-19.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Ghana and Uganda increased by +27 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cocoa beans in Africa, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tunisia ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with a 9.4% share.

In Ghana, cocoa bean imports declined by an average annual rate of -3.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tunisia (-10.5% per year) and Algeria (-22.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 63%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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