ECOWAS: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in ECOWAS

In 2022, the ECOWAS date market increased by 58% to $X, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption posted prominent growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Date Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, date production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Niger (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of date production, accounting for 88% of total volume. Moreover, date production in Niger exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Benin (X tons), more than tenfold.

In Niger, date production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Benin (+0.5% per year) and Mali (+2.1% per year).

The average date yield totaled X tons per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the date yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The date harvested area stood at X ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the date harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Date Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2022, shipments abroad of dates increased by 3.3% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 61%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, date exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 73%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Niger (X tons) represented the key exporter of dates, achieving 73% of total exports. Mali (X tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (5.2%).

Exports from Niger decreased at an average annual rate of -7.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ghana (+29.7%) and Mali (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +29.7% from 2012-2022. Mali (+12 p.p.) and Ghana (+5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Niger saw its share reduced by -14.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Niger ($X) remains the largest date supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mali ($X), with a 7.3% share of total exports.

In Niger, date exports decreased by an average annual rate of -3.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mali (+5.2% per year) and Ghana (+3.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 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 Niger ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Niger (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Date Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2022, the amount of dates imported in ECOWAS surged to X tons, rising by 204% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a significant expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date imports soared to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Nigeria prevails in imports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 87% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons), mixing up a 7.7% share of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates imports, with a CAGR of +32.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+16.3%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+10.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Nigeria increased by +38 percentage points.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dates in ECOWAS, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Senegal ($X), with a 9.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria totaled +15.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Senegal (+7.7% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+7.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -58.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 41% 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.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, 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 (-2.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform