Western Africa: Cassava Market 2025

Cassava Market Size in Western Africa

The West African cassava market stood at $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cassava Production in Western Africa

In value terms, cassava production expanded remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -6.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cassava production was Nigeria (X tons), accounting for 59% of total volume. Moreover, cassava production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ghana (X tons), threefold. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Nigeria totaled +1.8%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Ghana (+4.3% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+10.8% per year).

The average cassava yield expanded sharply to X tons per ha in 2022, picking up by 5% against 2021 figures. In general, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of cassava were harvested in Western Africa; reducing by -7.9% on the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 27%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the cassava harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cassava Exports

Exports in Western Africa

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of cassava increased by 2.1% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 100%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cassava exports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 88%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Ghana (X tons), distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Mali (X tons) were the main exporters of cassava, together mixing up 97% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mali (with a CAGR of +40.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Ghana ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Nigeria ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 87% of total exports. Mali and Togo lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

Mali, with a CAGR of +38.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -17.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 84%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a 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 ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cassava Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cassava was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports continue to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 124% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cassava imports dropped slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 93% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Cabo Verde was the main importer of cassava in Western Africa, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 63% of total imports in 2022. Togo (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Niger (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons). All these countries together took near 27% share of total imports. Nigeria (X tons) and Mali (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Cabo Verde increased at an average annual rate of +28.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Niger (+42.0%), Togo (+25.1%), Nigeria (+21.8%) and Burkina Faso (+10.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +42.0% from 2012-2022. Mali experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Cabo Verde (+53 p.p.), Togo (+9.6 p.p.), Niger (+8.3 p.p.), Nigeria (+2.3 p.p.) and Burkina Faso (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Mali saw its share reduced by -2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Cabo Verde ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cassava in Western Africa, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mali ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Cabo Verde amounted to +28.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mali (+22.4% per year) and Burkina Faso (+11.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -23.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined markedly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (+22.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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