Africa: Karite (Shea) Nuts Market 2025

Karite (Shea) Nuts Market Size in Africa

The African karite (shea) nuts market dropped to $X in 2022, falling by -11.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Karite (Shea) Nuts Production in Africa

In value terms, karite (shea) nuts production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 16%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Karite (Shea) Nuts Exports

Exports in Africa

Karite (shea) nuts exports shrank modestly to X tons in 2022, falling by -2% on 2021 figures. Total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -5.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 51%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, karite (shea) nuts exports reduced to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -9.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Burkina Faso represented the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 46% of total exports. Mali (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 21% share, followed by Ghana (18%) and Nigeria (11%). Benin (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Burkina Faso increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Nigeria (+46.1%), Mali (+35.5%) and Benin (+14.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +46.1% from 2012-2022. Ghana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Mali (+19 p.p.), Nigeria (+10 p.p.) and Benin (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Burkina Faso and Ghana saw its share reduced by -15.4% and -16.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest karite (shea) nuts supplying countries in Africa were Burkina Faso ($X), Ghana ($X) and Nigeria ($X), together comprising 83% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +36.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Benin ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Benin (+10.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Karite (Shea) Nuts Imports

Imports in Africa

Karite (shea) nuts imports expanded markedly to X tons in 2022, surging by 7% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 66%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, karite (shea) nuts imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 102%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Togo (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) were the major importers of karite (shea) nuts in Africa, together amounting to near 82% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Burkina Faso (X tons), making up an 18% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Burkina Faso (with a CAGR of +32.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ghana ($X), Togo ($X) and Burkina Faso ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 99% of total imports.

Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +57.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -6.2% against the previous year. Import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, karite (shea) nuts import price increased by +6.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, 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 Ghana ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+13.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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