Africa: Cow Peas Market 2025

Cow Peas Market Size in Africa

The African cow peas market contracted slightly to $X in 2022, shrinking by -3.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +3.3% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cow Peas Production in Africa

In value terms, cow peas production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +4.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 77%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Nigeria (X tons), Niger (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), with a combined 80% share of total production. Mali, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Sudan and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Sudan (with a CAGR of +17.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average cow peas yield amounted to X kg per ha in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a mild setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the cow peas yield reached the peak level at X kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cow peas (dry) production in Africa fell to X ha, approximately mirroring the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cow peas production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Cow Peas Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of cow peas (dry) were exported in Africa; picking up by 25% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 2016 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cow peas exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Madagascar represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 34% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Rwanda (13%), Uganda (11%), Kenya (5.7%), Ethiopia (4.9%) and South Africa (4.7%). Botswana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Madagascar increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Botswana (+54.3%), Rwanda (+36.4%), Kenya (+20.0%), South Africa (+9.2%), Tanzania (+3.3%) and Ethiopia (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Botswana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +54.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Uganda (-6.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Rwanda (+13 p.p.), Madagascar (+8.4 p.p.), Kenya (+4.5 p.p.), Botswana (+2.7 p.p.) and South Africa (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Uganda (-16.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Madagascar ($X) remains the largest cow peas supplier in Africa, comprising 27% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Madagascar was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+5.9% per year) and Tanzania (-1.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -9.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a mild curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 21%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uganda (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cow Peas Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of cow peas (dry) were imported in Africa; surging by 22% on 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 165%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cow peas imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a modest increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 104%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Angola (X tons) and Rwanda (X tons) were the main importers of cow peas (dry) in 2022, reaching near 27% and 26% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Kenya (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), together achieving a 26% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Uganda (X tons), South Sudan (X tons), Cabo Verde (X tons) and Algeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by South Sudan (with a CAGR of +53.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Angola ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cow peas (dry) in Africa, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Rwanda, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Angola totaled +22.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Swaziland (+31.1% per year) and Rwanda (+27.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -9.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 138%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Cabo Verde ($X per ton), while Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uganda (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :