Western Africa: Market for Natural Rubber And Gums 2025

Market Size for Natural Rubber And Gums in Western Africa

The West African natural rubber and gum market expanded notably to $X in 2022, picking up by 5.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -5.2% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Natural Rubber And Gums in Western Africa

In value terms, natural rubber and gum production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 48% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) remains the largest natural rubber and gum producing country in Western Africa, accounting for 73% of total volume. Moreover, natural rubber and gum production in Cote d'Ivoire exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Nigeria (X tons), sixfold. Liberia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.8% share.

In Cote d'Ivoire, natural rubber and gum production increased at an average annual rate of +12.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nigeria (+0.1% per year) and Liberia (+1.2% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of natural rubber and gums in Western Africa expanded slightly to X tons per ha, surging by 3.5% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the natural rubber and gum yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of natural rubber and gums in Western Africa rose remarkably to X ha, picking up by 5.8% on the previous year's figure. The total harvested area indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, natural rubber and gum harvested area decreased by -5.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 14%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Exports in Western Africa

After nine years of decline, overseas shipments of natural rubber and gums increased by 6.1% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum exports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a sharp slump. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ghana dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 82% of total exports in 2022. Nigeria (X tons) held an 8.4% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Liberia (7.3%). Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Ghana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of natural rubber and gums. Nigeria (-25.6%), Liberia (-29.9%) and Cote d'Ivoire (-37.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Ghana (+71 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Nigeria, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire saw its share reduced by -11.6%, -24.4% and -34.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest natural rubber and gum supplier in Western Africa, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Liberia ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Nigeria, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Ghana stood at -8.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Liberia (-31.7% per year) and Nigeria (-28.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -4.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 8.7%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Liberia (-2.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, the amount of natural rubber and gums imported in Western Africa shrank to X tons, declining by -6.3% on 2021. Overall, imports showed a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a slight slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 230%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Mauritania (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) represented roughly 68% of total imports in 2022. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Niger (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 24% share of total imports. The following importers - Ghana (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) - each amounted to a 4.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Niger (with a CAGR of +80.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported natural rubber and gums in Western Africa, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritania ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 7.5% share.

In Nigeria, natural rubber and gum imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritania (-3.8% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+37.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -20.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a moderate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 97% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 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 Ghana ($X per ton), while Niger ($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 (+15.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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