Western Africa: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African tomato market decreased by -1.7% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +37.6% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tomato Production in Western Africa

In value terms, tomato production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +33.4% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 83% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Nigeria (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of tomato production, accounting for 72% of total volume. Moreover, tomato production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ghana (X tons), tenfold. Niger (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.3% share.

In Nigeria, tomato production increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Ghana (+1.5% per year) and Niger (+9.8% per year).

In 2021, the average tomato yield in Western Africa totaled X tons per ha, approximately equating the year before. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 70%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the tomato yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The tomato harvested area shrank to X ha in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year's figure. The total harvested area indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, tomato harvested area decreased by -2.3% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 21%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the tomato harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Tomato Exports

Exports in Western Africa

For the third year in a row, Western Africa recorded decline in overseas shipments of tomatoes, which decreased by -10.4% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 156% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato exports contracted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 65% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Senegal dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 91% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Burkina Faso (X tons), committing a 6.6% share of total exports.

Senegal was also the fastest-growing in terms of the tomatoes exports, with a CAGR of -1.2% from 2012 to 2021. Burkina Faso (-22.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Senegal increased by +32 percentage points.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) remains the largest tomato supplier in Western Africa, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Burkina Faso ($X), with a 4.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Senegal totaled +3.0%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 92% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+21.9%).

Tomato Imports

Imports in Western Africa

For the third consecutive year, Western Africa recorded decline in purchases abroad of tomatoes, which decreased by -25.5% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato imports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mali (X tons), distantly followed by Niger (X tons), Cabo Verde (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Mauritania (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) were the major importers of tomatoes, together mixing up 88% of total imports.

Mali was also the fastest-growing in terms of the tomatoes imports, with a CAGR of +42.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Senegal (+20.9%), Mauritania (+20.5%) and Niger (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Togo experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Cabo Verde (-6.7%) and Ghana (-38.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mali (+29 p.p.), Niger (+13 p.p.), Senegal (+9.9 p.p.), Mauritania (+9.1 p.p.), Cabo Verde (+7.3 p.p.) and Togo (+5.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -81.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the largest tomato importing markets in Western Africa were Mali ($X), Cabo Verde ($X) and Mauritania ($X), with a combined 56% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Mali, with a CAGR of +38.8%, 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, stabilizing at the previous year. Import price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, tomato import price decreased by -7.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 39%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Cabo Verde ($X per ton), while Niger ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :