Africa: Yams Market 2024

Yams Market Size in Africa

The African yams market fell modestly to $X in 2022, waning by -3.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Yams Production in Africa

In value terms, yams production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 54% 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.

Nigeria (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of yams production, accounting for 69% of total volume. Moreover, yams production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ghana (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Nigeria stood at +4.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (+2.4% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+3.2% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of yams in Africa reduced to X tons per ha, waning by -1.6% on 2021. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 10%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood 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 harvested area of yams in Africa totaled X ha, approximately equating the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period 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 2019 with an increase of 18%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the yams harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Yams Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of yams were exported in Africa; waning by -3.1% compared with 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, yams exports shrank to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 46%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ghana dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 96% of total exports in 2022. Nigeria (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to yams exports from Ghana stood at +9.9%. At the same time, Nigeria (+34.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +34.7% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest yams supplier in Africa, comprising 97% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with a 0.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Ghana stood at +6.9%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -5.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 13%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood 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 Ghana ($X per ton), while Nigeria stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (-2.7%).

Yams Imports

Imports in Africa

Yams imports skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, rising by 39% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 159%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, yams imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 134% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 67% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Niger (X tons), Mali (X tons), Gabon (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), together constituting a 30% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to yams imports into South Africa stood at +42.6%. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+60.7%), Mali (+24.5%), Niger (+19.7%) and Gabon (+16.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +60.7% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa and Burkina Faso increased by +46 and +5.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported yams in Africa, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mali ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Niger, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to +48.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mali (+13.1% per year) and Niger (+0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -13.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 64%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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