Western Africa: Baby Food Market 2024

Baby Food Market Size in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African baby food market decreased by -16.7% to $X, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt slump. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Baby Food Production in Western Africa

In value terms, baby food production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Baby Food Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of food preparations for infants were exported in Western Africa; which is down by -22.1% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 33%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, baby food exports dropped to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ghana was the major exporter of food preparations for infants in Western Africa, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 63% of total exports in 2021. Burkina Faso (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Niger (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 34% share of total exports. Senegal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Ghana decreased at an average annual rate of -6.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+30.6%), Niger (+23.0%) and Nigeria (+16.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +30.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Senegal (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria increased by +17, +7.3 and +5.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest baby food supplier in Western Africa, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Burkina Faso ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Niger, with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Ghana totaled -8.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Burkina Faso (+26.1% per year) and Niger (+23.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 22% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a perceptible contraction. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Baby Food Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, after seven years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of food preparations for infants, when their volume decreased by -58.1% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 98%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, baby food imports declined sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria represented the main importer of food preparations for infants in Western Africa, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 50% of total imports in 2021. Burkina Faso (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (12%), Senegal (7.4%) and Guinea (4.7%). The following importers - Sierra Leone (X tons) and Mali (X tons) - each accounted for a 4.3% share of total imports.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +12.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+32.3%), Guinea (+17.7%), Senegal (+15.9%), Sierra Leone (+13.1%), Mali (+12.5%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+11.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +32.3% from 2012-2021. While the share of Burkina Faso (+9.3 p.p.), Nigeria (+1.9 p.p.), Senegal (+1.9 p.p.) and Guinea (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported food preparations for infants in Western Africa, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Burkina Faso ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Burkina Faso (+33.2% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+7.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, rising by 59% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a abrupt setback. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Sierra Leone ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :