Western Africa: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African potato market decreased by -0.5% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in Western Africa

In value terms, potato production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 62% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of potato production was Nigeria (X tons), accounting for 58% of total volume. Moreover, potato production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mali (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Niger (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria amounted to +1.1%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mali (+7.4% per year) and Niger (+15.6% per year).

The average potato yield totaled X tons per ha in 2021, remaining constant against 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the potato yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of potatoes production in Western Africa totaled X ha, almost unchanged from 2020. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 3.8%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of potatoes were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 133% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 109%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mauritania (X tons) represented the key exporter of potatoes, constituting 60% of total exports. Mali (X tons) took a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Niger (7.1%) and Nigeria (4.5%). Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Togo (X tons), Benin (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Mauritania increased at an average annual rate of +13.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Niger (+84.4%), Mali (+33.6%), Benin (+29.3%), Togo (+27.9%) and Nigeria (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +84.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-2.6%) and Senegal (-31.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mauritania (+37 p.p.), Mali (+14 p.p.), Niger (+7 p.p.) and Togo (+2.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal saw its share reduced by -2.1% and -57.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mauritania ($X), Niger ($X) and Mali ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 87% share of total exports.

Niger, with a CAGR of +92.6%, recorded 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 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Niger ($X per ton), while Benin ($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 (+11.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, imports of potatoes in Western Africa shrank to X tons, with a decrease of -5.6% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, potato imports rose notably to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +32.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Mauritania (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) represented the major importers of potatoes in 2021, reaching near 25% and 25% of total imports, respectively. Mali (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Senegal (13%) and Burkina Faso (5.6%). Cabo Verde (X tons) and Benin (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Benin (with a CAGR of +21.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mauritania ($X), Mali ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 62% of total imports. These countries were followed by Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde and Benin, which together accounted for a further 25%.

Among the main importing countries, Benin, with a CAGR of +21.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($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 (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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