ECOWAS: Kola Nut Market 2025

Kola Nut Market Size in ECOWAS

The ECOWAS kola nut market fell to $X in 2022, which is down by -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Kola Nut Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, kola nut production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Nigeria (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of kola nut production, comprising approx. 65% of total volume. Moreover, kola nut production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Ghana (X tons), with a 9.3% share.

In Nigeria, kola nut production increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Cote d'Ivoire (-0.7% per year) and Ghana (+0.1% per year).

In 2022, the average kola nut yield in ECOWAS dropped modestly to X kg per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the kola nut 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of kola nuts production in ECOWAS was estimated at X ha, standing approx. at 2021. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kola Nut Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2022, shipments abroad of kola nuts decreased by -19.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, saw resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 108%. 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, kola nut exports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 141% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nigeria was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), comprising a 24% share of total exports. Sierra Leone (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the kola nuts exports, with a CAGR of +44.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+17.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+63 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Cote d'Ivoire saw its share reduced by -62% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Sierra Leone ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +39.2%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -1.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 59%. 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 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 (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Kola Nut Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of kola nuts decreased by -24.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 9,082%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then declined sharply in the following year.

In value terms, kola nut imports fell to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 286% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Burkina Faso prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 95% of total imports in 2022. Niger (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to kola nut imports into Burkina Faso stood at +1.6%. At the same time, Niger (+25.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +25.0% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Burkina Faso increased by +95 percentage points.

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported kola nuts in ECOWAS, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Niger ($X), with an 8.4% share of total imports.

In Burkina Faso, kola nut imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a dramatic shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the import price increased by 37%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, 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 Niger ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+0.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform