Africa: Walnut Market 2025

Walnut Market Size in Africa

In 2022, the African walnut market decreased by -2.7% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% 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 +70.7% against 2016 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Walnut Production in Africa

In value terms, walnut production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Burkina Faso (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of walnut production, accounting for 75% of total volume. Moreover, walnut production in Burkina Faso exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Egypt (X tons), sixfold.

In Burkina Faso, walnut production expanded at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (-0.1% per year) and Morocco (+8.3% per year).

The average walnut yield declined to X tons per ha in 2022, waning by -3.1% against 2021 figures. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the walnut yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The walnut harvested area shrank slightly to X ha in 2022, which is down by -3% compared with the year before. The total harvested area indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, walnut harvested area increased by +3.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to walnut production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Walnut Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of walnuts were exported in Africa; reducing by -84.2% on 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 530% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, walnut exports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 138%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mozambique (X tons) represented the main exporter of walnuts, comprising 37% of total exports. Benin (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by South Africa (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Egypt (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 61% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to walnut exports from Mozambique stood at +16.7%. At the same time, Algeria (+72.8%), Cote d'Ivoire (+66.4%) and Benin (+46.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +72.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-5.3%) and Egypt (-8.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mozambique, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire and Algeria increased by +28, +16, +13 and +9.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X), South Africa ($X) and Algeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 74% of total exports. Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Benin lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +64.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, surging by 82% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 239% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat 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 Algeria ($X per ton), while Benin ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+11.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Walnut Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of walnuts increased by 0.7% to X tons, rising for the seventh year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, walnut imports rose markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 94%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Morocco was the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 60% of total imports. Algeria (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Egypt (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 37% share of total imports.

Morocco was also the fastest-growing in terms of the walnuts imports, with a CAGR of +30.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Algeria (+23.7%) and Egypt (+11.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Morocco increased by +25 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported walnuts in Africa, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Algeria ($X), with a 24% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Morocco totaled +31.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (+24.3% per year) and Egypt (+7.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 19% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+0.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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