Western Africa: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Western Africa

The West African date market surged to $X in 2022, jumping by 40% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% 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 +98.1% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Date Production in Western Africa

In value terms, date production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 11%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Mauritania (X tons), Niger (X tons) and Benin (X tons), with a combined 98% share of total production. Mali lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 2%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Mali (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of dates in Western Africa fell modestly to X tons per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 2.6% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 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.

In 2022, the date harvested area in Western Africa stood at X ha, stabilizing at the year before. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 15%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the date harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Date Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of dates increased by 4.2% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 61%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, date exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 73%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Niger was the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 71% of total exports. Mali (X tons) held a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (5.1%). Mauritania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Niger decreased at an average annual rate of -7.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ghana (+29.7%), Mauritania (+20.4%) and Mali (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +29.7% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mali, Ghana and Mauritania increased by +11, +4.9 and +2.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Niger ($X) remains the largest date supplier in Western Africa, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mali ($X), with a 7.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Mauritania, with a 1.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Niger amounted to -3.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mali (+5.2% per year) and Mauritania (+17.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat 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 Niger ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Niger (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Date Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of dates increased by 168% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports showed significant growth. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Nigeria dominates imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 84% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons), creating a 7.4% share of total imports. Mauritania (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates imports, with a CAGR of +32.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+16.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Mauritania (-2.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+52 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Senegal and Mauritania saw its share reduced by -3% and -30.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dates in Western Africa, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritania ($X), with a 9.8% share of total imports.

In Nigeria, date imports increased at an average annual rate of +15.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritania (-7.5% per year) and Senegal (+7.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -56.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price faced a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Mauritania ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($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 (-5.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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