ECOWAS: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in ECOWAS

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in the ECOWAS potato market, when its value decreased by -0.8% to $X. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, potato production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Nigeria (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of potato production, accounting for 58% of total volume. Moreover, potato production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mali (X tons), fivefold. Niger (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In Nigeria, potato production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mali (+7.4% per year) and Niger (+15.6% per year).

In 2021, the average potato yield in ECOWAS amounted to X tons per ha, flattening at 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 11%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of potatoes were harvested in ECOWAS; leveling off at the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 3.8%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production reached the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Potato Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, the amount of potatoes exported in ECOWAS declined significantly to X tons, falling by -31.9% on the year before. In general, exports showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 148%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato exports fell sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 97%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mali (X tons) represented the major exporter of potatoes, mixing up 38% of total exports. Niger (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Nigeria (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Togo (X tons). All these countries together took near 47% share of total exports. The following exporters - Benin (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) - each resulted at an 8.2% share of total exports.

Exports from Mali increased at an average annual rate of +33.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Niger (+84.4%), Benin (+29.3%), Togo (+27.9%) and Nigeria (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +84.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-2.6%) and Senegal (-31.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mali (+36 p.p.), Niger (+17 p.p.), Togo (+7 p.p.), Nigeria (+5.3 p.p.), Benin (+3.9 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Senegal (-72.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Niger ($X) emerged as the largest potato supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mali ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 9.4% share.

In Niger, potato exports increased at an average annual rate of +92.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mali (+35.3% per year) and Nigeria (-10.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 22% against the previous year. Export price indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, potato export price increased by +88.7% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Niger ($X per ton), while Benin ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+11.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of potatoes decreased by -12.2% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports fell to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -8.0% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), distantly followed by Mali (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons) were the major importers of potatoes, together constituting 80% of total imports. Cabo Verde (X tons), Benin (X tons), Togo (X tons), Niger (X tons), Gambia (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Benin (with a CAGR of +21.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest potato importing markets in ECOWAS were Mali ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Senegal ($X), together accounting for 70% of total imports. Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Benin, Togo, Guinea, Ghana, Niger and Gambia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Benin, with a CAGR of +21.6%, 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

In 2021, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Guinea ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform