Western Africa: Cotton Bag Market 2025

Cotton Bag Market Size in Western Africa

The West African cotton bag market fell to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a buoyant expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Bag Production in Western Africa

In value terms, cotton bag production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 69%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Bag Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of sacks and bags of cotton were exported in Western Africa; surging by 11% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 494% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton bag exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 314%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mali (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) represented the major exporters of sacks and bags of cotton in 2021, finishing at approx. 33% and 31% of total exports, respectively. Niger (X kg) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Nigeria (11%) and Benin (4.6%). Cote d'Ivoire (X kg) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Mali (with a CAGR of +68.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mali ($X) remains the largest cotton bag supplier in Western Africa, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ghana ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Benin, with a 6.3% share.

In Mali, cotton bag exports increased at an average annual rate of +49.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ghana (+1.7% per year) and Benin (+3.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -4.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 49% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, 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 Mali ($X per ton), while Niger ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Benin (+13.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Bag Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, the amount of sacks and bags of cotton imported in Western Africa declined to X tons, which is down by -9.5% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton bag imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Gambia was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 50% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Nigeria (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), together generating a 32% share of total imports. Senegal (X tons), Benin (X tons) and Mauritania (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Gambia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sacks and bags of cotton imports, with a CAGR of +31.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Nigeria (+29.8%), Mauritania (+25.1%), Cote d'Ivoire (+24.6%) and Ghana (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Benin (-13.4%) and Senegal (-23.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Gambia (+46 p.p.), Nigeria (+15 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+5.8 p.p.), Mauritania (+2.8 p.p.) and Ghana (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Benin and Senegal saw its share reduced by -10.1% and -45.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Gambia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sacks and bags of cotton in Western Africa, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Cote d'Ivoire, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Gambia stood at +37.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (+11.8% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+10.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 79% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+8.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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