Alliaceous vegetables market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for alliaceous vegetables in the ECOWAS region experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2023, with the total market volume increasing from 5 206 thousand tonnes to 6 765 thousand tonnes. This represents a rise of approximately 30% over the period, underscoring a strong and consistent expansion in the sector.

Market growth was marked by two particularly strong years: in 2020, volume jumped by 8.7% to 5 737 thousand tonnes, and in 2023, it surged by 11% to reach 6 765 thousand tonnes. A minor decline of 0.8% interrupted the trend in 2021, but the market resumed its growth path in the following years, demonstrating overall resilience.

Production alliaceous vegetables in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

ECOWAS has seen its production of alliaceous vegetables grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the alliance produced 5 168 thousand tonnes of these vegetables, marking a 4.9% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of alliaceous vegetables production in ECOWAS experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 652 million US dollars, down 3.8% from the previous year. However, over the broader 2017-2020 timeframe, production value increased by 35.8%, averaging a 10.7% annualized rate. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 2 756 million US dollars, while the most significant year-on-year increase was in 2018, at 32.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

ECOWAS has recorded a second consecutive year of growth in its exports of alliaceous vegetables. In 2020, exports reached 125.6 thousand tonnes, up 11.9% from 2019. Despite this recent uptick, exports fell by 30% overall between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual decline of 11.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 99.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the sharpest drop of 44.4%. In contrast, 2019 posted the largest increase at 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates emerged as the key markets for ECOWAS's alliaceous vegetable exports by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 2.7% of exports, Spain for 1.0%, and the UAE for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 4.6% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

For the second year running, ECOWAS has seen an increase in the value of its alliaceous vegetable exports. In 2020, exports were valued at 64.4 million US dollars, a modest rise of 2.7% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 span, export value decreased by 16.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%. The lowest point was in 2018 at 53.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the steepest fall of 30.8%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, at 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations for ECOWAS's alliaceous vegetable exports by value. The United Kingdom held a 10.2% share, the Netherlands 1.4%, and the UAE 1.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 12.6% of total export value during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, ECOWAS's imports of alliaceous vegetables rebounded strongly. In 2020, imports surged to 694.7 thousand tonnes, a sharp 49.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 30.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 464.1 thousand tonnes, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, China, and Morocco were the primary sources of alliaceous vegetable imports to ECOWAS by volume. The Netherlands dominated with a 59.7% share, followed by China at 6.1% and Morocco at 2.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 68.0% of total import volume during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS's imports of alliaceous vegetables totaled 223.0 million US dollars, representing a sharp 49.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value rose by 51.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.8%. The only decline in this period was in 2019, at 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, China, and Morocco were the main suppliers of alliaceous vegetables to ECOWAS by value. The Netherlands accounted for 61.0% of imports, China for 12.7%, and Morocco for 1.8%. Combined, these three countries contributed 75.5% of total import value over these years.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020