Western Africa: Yams Market 2024

Yams Market Size in Western Africa

The West African yams market dropped to $X in 2022, which is down by -3.5% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Yams Production in Western Africa

In value terms, yams production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of yams production was Nigeria (X tons), comprising approx. 71% of total volume. Moreover, yams production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ghana (X tons), sixfold. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria totaled +4.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (+2.4% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+3.2% per year).

The average yams yield contracted modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, waning by -1.6% compared with the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the 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.

In 2022, the harvested area of yams in Western Africa totaled X ha, almost unchanged from 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% 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 2019 when the harvested area increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the yams harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Yams Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of yams were exported in Western Africa; with a decrease of -3% against 2021 figures. Overall, exports, however, showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, yams exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ghana dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 97% of total exports in 2022. Nigeria (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to yams exports from Ghana stood at +9.9%. At the same time, Nigeria (+34.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +34.7% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest yams supplier in Western Africa, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with a 0.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Ghana amounted to +6.9%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -5.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 13%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Nigeria stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (-2.7%).

Yams Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of yams were imported in Western Africa; increasing by 50% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, yams imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 91%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of yams imports in 2022 were Niger (X tons), Mali (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons), together recording 96% of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Burkina Faso (with a CAGR of +60.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mali ($X), Niger ($X) and Burkina Faso ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 93% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +28.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -27.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 88% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (-9.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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