ECOWAS: Karite (Shea) Nuts Market 2025

Karite (Shea) Nuts Market Size in ECOWAS

The ECOWAS karite (shea) nuts market dropped to $X in 2022, falling by -11.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Karite (Shea) Nuts Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, karite (shea) nuts production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 16%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Karite (Shea) Nuts Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

Karite (shea) nuts exports fell modestly to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -2% on the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -5.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 51%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, karite (shea) nuts exports shrank modestly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -9.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Burkina Faso represented the largest exporter of karite (shea) nuts in ECOWAS, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 46% of total exports in 2022. Mali (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 21% share, followed by Ghana (18%) and Nigeria (11%). Benin (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Burkina Faso increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Nigeria (+46.1%), Mali (+35.5%) and Benin (+14.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +46.1% from 2012-2022. Ghana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Mali (+19 p.p.), Nigeria (+10 p.p.) and Benin (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Burkina Faso and Ghana saw its share reduced by -15.4% and -16.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest karite (shea) nuts supplying countries in ECOWAS were Burkina Faso ($X), Ghana ($X) and Nigeria ($X), together accounting for 83% of total exports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +36.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Benin ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Benin (+10.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Karite (Shea) Nuts Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

Karite (shea) nuts imports rose markedly to X tons in 2022, increasing by 7% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports showed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 66%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, karite (shea) nuts imports reached $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 102%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Togo (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) represented roughly 82% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Burkina Faso (X tons), mixing up an 18% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Burkina Faso (with a CAGR of +32.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest karite (shea) nuts importing markets in ECOWAS were Ghana ($X), Togo ($X) and Burkina Faso ($X), with a combined 100% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +57.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -6.2% against the previous year. Import price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, karite (shea) nuts import price increased by +6.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+13.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform