Africa: Kola Nut Market 2025

Kola Nut Market Size in Africa

The African kola nut market declined to $X in 2022, shrinking by -6.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Kola Nut Production in Africa

In value terms, kola nut production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 41% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of kola nut production was Nigeria (X tons), accounting for 55% of total volume. Moreover, kola nut production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Cameroon (X tons), with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria totaled +2.4%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Cote d'Ivoire (-0.7% per year) and Cameroon (+0.4% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of kola nuts in Africa shrank slightly to X kg per ha, approximately mirroring the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 5.7% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the kola nut yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. 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 kola nuts production in Africa stood at X ha, almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 6.9%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to kola nut production attained the maximum at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Kola Nut Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of kola nuts decreased by -20.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 110% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kola nut exports contracted notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 142% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria was the major exporter of kola nuts in Africa, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 67% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), comprising a 24% share of total exports. Sierra Leone (X tons) and Cameroon (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the kola nuts exports, with a CAGR of +44.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+17.0%) and Cameroon (+14.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+62 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Cote d'Ivoire (-61 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest kola nut supplying countries in Africa were Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Sierra Leone ($X), with a combined 94% share of total exports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +39.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among 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

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 60%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Kola Nut Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of kola nuts, when their volume decreased by -24.5% to X tons. In general, imports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 8,504%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined notably in the following year.

In value terms, kola nut imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 275% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Burkina Faso dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 95% of total imports in 2022. Niger (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to kola nut imports into Burkina Faso stood at +1.6%. At the same time, Niger (+25.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +25.0% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Burkina Faso increased by +95 percentage points.

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported kola nuts in Africa, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Niger ($X), with an 8.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Burkina Faso stood at +1.9%.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a precipitous decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 37%. The level of import peaked 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 Niger ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+0.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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