Western Africa: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in Western Africa

In 2022, the West African lentil market increased by 53% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Lentil Production in Western Africa

In value terms, lentil production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 8.6% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Nigeria (X tons) remains the largest lentil producing country in Western Africa, comprising approx. 66% of total volume. Moreover, lentil production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Benin (X tons), threefold. Ghana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.4% share.

In Nigeria, lentil production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Benin (+2.2% per year) and Ghana (+239.2% per year).

Lentil Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of lentils was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 106%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lentil exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 156%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria represented the key exporter of lentils in Western Africa, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 58% of total exports in 2022. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 22% share, followed by Sierra Leone (9.8%) and Gambia (9.2%).

Exports from Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Gambia (+45.0%) and Ghana (+36.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Gambia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +45.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Sierra Leone (-15.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Ghana (+21 p.p.), Nigeria (+12 p.p.) and Gambia (+9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Sierra Leone saw its share reduced by -37.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) remains the largest lentil supplier in Western Africa, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sierra Leone ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with an 18% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria totaled -12.0%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sierra Leone (-12.0% per year) and Ghana (+19.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -17% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 34% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sierra Leone (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lentil Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of lentils increased by 54% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 148%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, lentil imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 200%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Niger (X tons) was the main importer of lentils, mixing up 52% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Cabo Verde (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), together comprising a 37% share of total imports. The following importers - Mauritania (X tons) and Sierra Leone (X tons) - each resulted at a 6% share of total imports.

Niger was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lentils imports, with a CAGR of +25.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+15.0%), Cabo Verde (+13.2%) and Nigeria (+12.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Burkina Faso (-3.1%), Mauritania (-7.7%) and Sierra Leone (-15.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Niger (+41 p.p.), Senegal (+5.6 p.p.), Cabo Verde (+5.4 p.p.) and Nigeria (+3.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Mauritania (-10.4 p.p.), Burkina Faso (-10.6 p.p.) and Sierra Leone (-27.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Niger ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lentils in Western Africa, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cabo Verde ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 10% share.

In Niger, lentil imports expanded at an average annual rate of +28.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cabo Verde (+11.0% per year) and Nigeria (+13.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the 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 Nigeria ($X per ton), while Sierra Leone ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sierra Leone (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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