Almonds market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2017, the Ivorian government implemented a tax on exports of raw cashew nuts and provided subsidies for processed almond shipments to encourage local value addition. This policy spurred private investment in the processing sector, with the number of exporting processors increasing from 10 in 2017 to 18 by early 2019. As Côte d'Ivoire solidified its position as the world's leading producer of raw cashew, this growing domestic processing capacity helped maintain overall almond market volume, which fluctuated between 1 644 t and 1 726 t from 2018 to 2020.

The market's stability continued as the country rose to become the world's third-largest exporter of cashew kernels, shipping 30 022 t in 2021. By 2022, the local processing rate reached 22% with 27 operational units, supported by the inauguration of the Cashew Investment and Technology Center (CITA) to foster technical skills and investment. Strategic efforts to access markets like the United States and Europe under the African Continental Free Trade Area further integrated the sector into global trade. In 2023, installed processing capacity hit 300 000 t, and a 54% increase in the farmgate price for raw nuts provided additional incentive for production, keeping the domestic almond market volume steady at around 1 750 t.

Production almonds in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire ranked 26th globally in almond production.

Top producers of almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of almonds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire produced 1 695 tonnes of almonds, a slight increase of 2.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.7%, averaging 0.9% annually. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 723 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 4.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports almonds from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. The lowest export volume occurred in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 143 times. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's cross-border shipments of almonds amounted to 3 149 kg, a sharp decline of 90.7% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 33 802 kg, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2 038.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the leading buyer of almonds from Côte d'Ivoire, accounting for 86.9% of total exports in kind, with the remainder distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 73-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's almond exports totaled 11.3 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp drop of 66.9% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 34.0 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 1 507.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Belgium remained the dominant partner for Côte d'Ivoire's almond exports in value terms, holding a 77.0% share of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports almonds to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, kg

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire imported 33 999 kg of almonds, an increase of 113.9% from the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 896 kg, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 37.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France (31.6% of imports in kind), the United States (19.3%), and the United Arab Emirates (16.0%) accounted for the largest share of almond imports into Côte d'Ivoire, together comprising 66.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, almond import volumes into Côte d'Ivoire amounted to 173.0 thousand US dollars, up by 109.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 82.6 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 36.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France (40.1% of imports in value terms), the United States (20.8%), and the United Arab Emirates (13.4%) were the largest suppliers of almonds to Côte d'Ivoire, together forming 74.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020