ECOWAS: Market for Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers 2025

Market Size for Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers in ECOWAS

In 2021, the ECOWAS sanitary towel and diaper market decreased by -3.5% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -2.0% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Production of Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers in ECOWAS

In value terms, sanitary towel and diaper production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +10.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 49%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers

Exports in ECOWAS

After three years of growth, shipments abroad of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and diapers decreased by -48.2% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 149%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sanitary towel and diaper exports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 69%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Ghana dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 81% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons), generating a 9.9% share of total exports. Nigeria (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Ghana increased at an average annual rate of +34.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Nigeria (+71.3%) and Senegal (+70.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +71.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-12.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Ghana (+45 p.p.), Senegal (+9.4 p.p.) and Nigeria (+3.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Cote d'Ivoire saw its share reduced by -57.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest sanitary towel and diaper supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Senegal ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Ghana totaled +34.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Senegal (+50.1% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (-15.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -33.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2021, overseas purchases of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and diapers decreased by -5.6% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sanitary towel and diaper imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed notable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 67% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) represented the key importers of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and diapers in 2021, accounting for approx. 27% and 19% of total imports, respectively. Guinea (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Mali (10%), Togo (7.5%), Senegal (6.2%) and Burkina Faso (5.3%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Togo (with a CAGR of +39.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sanitary towel and diaper importing markets in ECOWAS were Nigeria ($X), Ghana ($X) and Guinea ($X), together comprising 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by Senegal, Mali, Togo and Burkina Faso, which together accounted for a further 16%.

Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +29.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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, which is down by -8.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 9.6% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform