Western Africa: Kola Nut Market 2025

Kola Nut Market Size in Western Africa

The West African kola nut market dropped to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Kola Nut Production in Western Africa

In value terms, kola nut production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 57% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of kola nut production was Nigeria (X tons), comprising approx. 65% of total volume. Moreover, kola nut production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), threefold. Ghana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.3% share.

In Nigeria, kola nut production increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Cote d'Ivoire (-0.7% per year) and Ghana (+0.1% per year).

The average kola nut yield shrank slightly to X kg per ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 7.4%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the kola nut yield remained 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 kola nuts were harvested in Western Africa; standing approx. at the year before. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 7.1%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to kola nut production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kola Nut Exports

Exports in Western Africa

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of kola nuts decreased by -19.8% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 108%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kola nut exports plummeted to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 141%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nigeria was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which reached 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), generating a 24% share of total exports. Sierra Leone (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the kola nuts exports, with a CAGR of +44.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+17.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+63 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Cote d'Ivoire saw its share reduced by -62% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Sierra Leone ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +39.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 59%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Kola Nut Imports

Imports in Western Africa

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of kola nuts decreased by -24.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 9,082%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, kola nut imports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 286%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Burkina Faso prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 95% of total imports in 2022. Niger (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to kola nut imports into Burkina Faso stood at +1.6%. At the same time, Niger (+25.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +25.0% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Burkina Faso increased by +95 percentage points.

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported kola nuts in Western Africa, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Niger ($X), with an 8.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Burkina Faso totaled +1.9%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, faced a sharp decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 37%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a 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 Niger ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+0.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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