Western Africa: Cow Peas Market 2025

Cow Peas Market Size in Western Africa

The West African cow peas market shrank to $X in 2022, falling by -4.2% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +4.6% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cow Peas Production in Western Africa

In value terms, cow peas production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production posted a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 93% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Nigeria (X tons), Niger (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), with a combined 91% share of total production. Mali, Senegal and Ghana lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.3%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Senegal (with a CAGR of +16.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average cow peas yield in Western Africa totaled X kg per ha, leveling off at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the yield increased by 19% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the 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.

The cow peas harvested area contracted slightly to X ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cow peas production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Cow Peas Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of cow peas (dry) decreased by -18.2% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports faced a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 138%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cow peas exports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 95%. 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

In 2022, Nigeria (X tons) was the main exporter of cow peas (dry), mixing up 63% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Niger (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Mali (X tons), together generating a 28% share of total exports. Burkina Faso (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cow peas exports from Nigeria stood at +12.1%. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+75.9%), Ghana (+62.6%) and Mali (+6.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +75.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Niger (-14.3%) and Burkina Faso (-35.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+58 p.p.), Ghana (+9 p.p.), Mali (+4.4 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Niger (-3.8 p.p.) and Burkina Faso (-68.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) remains the largest cow peas supplier in Western Africa, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Niger, with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria stood at +19.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (+61.6% per year) and Niger (-17.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, rising by 32% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 89% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, 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 Nigeria (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cow Peas Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cow peas (dry) increased by 55% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cow peas imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Cabo Verde was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 53% of total imports. Nigeria (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Benin (X tons) and Mali (X tons). All these countries together took near 31% share of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Guinea-Bissau (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Liberia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Cabo Verde increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Guinea-Bissau (+25.2%), Benin (+24.8%), Burkina Faso (+17.9%) and Liberia (+12.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guinea-Bissau emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +25.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mali (-21.2%), Nigeria (-24.9%) and Cote d'Ivoire (-27.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Cabo Verde (+47 p.p.), Benin (+12 p.p.), Guinea-Bissau (+2.6 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+2.5 p.p.) and Liberia (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria saw its share reduced by -7.3%, -17.8% and -41.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Cabo Verde ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cow peas (dry) in Western Africa, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 5.3% share.

In Cabo Verde, cow peas imports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nigeria (-19.1% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (-24.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 4% against the previous year. Import price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cow peas import price decreased by -18.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the import price increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Guinea-Bissau ($X per ton), while Benin ($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 (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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