Africa: Market for Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms 2025

Market Size for Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms in Africa

In 2022, the African nutmeg, mace and cardamom market decreased by -3.6% to $X for the first time since 2013, thus ending a eight-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 +90.7% against 2013 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Production of Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms in Africa

In value terms, nutmeg, mace and cardamom production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 59% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tanzania (X tons) remains the largest nutmeg, mace and cardamom producing country in Africa, comprising approx. 51% of total volume. Moreover, nutmeg, mace and cardamom production in Tanzania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ethiopia (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Tanzania was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Ethiopia (+0.2% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.0% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Africa dropped modestly to X kg per ha, leveling off at 2021 figures. In general, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 1.9%. The level of yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms were harvested in Africa; remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 3.4%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to nutmeg, mace and cardamom production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms

Exports in Africa

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, when their volume decreased by -6.5% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 95% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, nutmeg, mace and cardamom exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 69% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Tanzania represented the major exporter of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Africa, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 61% of total exports in 2022. Ethiopia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and South Africa (X tons). All these countries together took near 29% share of total exports. The following exporters - Sierra Leone (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons) - each accounted for a 5.9% share of total exports.

Tanzania was also the fastest-growing in terms of the nutmeg, mace and cardamoms exports, with a CAGR of +53.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+15.6%), Madagascar (+11.8%) and South Africa (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-3.0%), Nigeria (-3.1%) and Ethiopia (-5.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Tanzania increased by +60 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest nutmeg, mace and cardamom supplier in Africa, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ethiopia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Tanzania amounted to +49.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ethiopia (+2.9% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+9.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -19.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate notable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while South Africa ($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 (+13.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Nutmeg, Mace And Cardamoms

Imports in Africa

For the third year in a row, Africa recorded growth in overseas purchases of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, which increased by 4.5% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +45.7% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, nutmeg, mace and cardamom imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 38%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Egypt represented the main importer of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Africa, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 49% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), Somalia (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Morocco (X tons), together mixing up a 28% share of total imports. The following importers - Sudan (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons) - each finished at a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to nutmeg, mace and cardamom imports into Egypt stood at +5.2%. At the same time, Somalia (+41.2%), Ghana (+12.0%), Ethiopia (+8.9%), Morocco (+8.4%), Nigeria (+2.2%) and South Africa (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Somalia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +41.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Sudan (-2.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Somalia and Ghana increased by +7.3 and +3.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Africa, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Somalia ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt amounted to +10.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Somalia (+41.3% per year) and South Africa (-3.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -18.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 34% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 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 Somalia ($X per ton), while Ethiopia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+10.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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