Western Africa: Grain Market 2025

Grain Market Size in Western Africa

The West African grain market amounted to $X in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Grain Production in Western Africa

In value terms, grain production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of X%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of grain production was Nigeria (X tons), accounting for X% of total volume. Moreover, grain production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mali (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Burkina Faso (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria totaled X%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mali (X% per year) and Burkina Faso (X% per year).

The average grain yield stood at X tons per ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the grain yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of cereal grains in Western Africa reduced modestly to X ha, almost unchanged from 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Grain Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, the amount of cereal grains exported in Western Africa skyrocketed to X tons, growing by X% against the previous year. In general, exports recorded pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, grain exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Cote d'Ivoire was the largest exporter of cereal grains in Western Africa, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. X% of total exports in 2022. Burkina Faso (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a X% share, followed by Liberia (X%), Senegal (X%) and Mali (X%). The following exporters - Benin (X tons) and Niger (X tons) - each amounted to a X% share of total exports.

Exports from Cote d'Ivoire increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Niger (X%), Mali (X%), Senegal (X%), Liberia (X%) and Burkina Faso (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Benin (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Cote d'Ivoire (X p.p.), Liberia (X p.p.), Senegal (X p.p.), Mali (X p.p.) and Niger (X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Benin saw its share reduced by X% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest grain supplying countries in Western Africa were Senegal ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Liberia ($X), together comprising X% of total exports. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Benin lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Niger, with a CAGR of X%, recorded 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of X%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, 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 Senegal ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (X%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Grain Imports

Imports in Western Africa

For the third year in a row, Western Africa recorded growth in overseas purchases of cereal grains, which increased by X% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by X%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, grain imports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of X%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Nigeria was the major importer of cereal grains in Western Africa, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near X% of total imports in 2022. Senegal (X tons) held a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (X%), Mauritania (X%), Cote d'Ivoire (X%), Guinea (X%) and Mali (X%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to grain imports into Nigeria stood at X%. At the same time, Guinea (X%), Mali (X%), Senegal (X%), Ghana (X%), Mauritania (X%) and Cote d'Ivoire (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guinea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2022. While the share of Guinea (X p.p.), Mali (X p.p.) and Senegal (X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Cote d'Ivoire (X p.p.) and Nigeria (X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cereal grains in Western Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Senegal ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with an X% share.

In Nigeria, grain imports increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Senegal (X% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of X%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced 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 Nigeria ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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