Beans market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh or chilled beans in Western Africa grew from 96.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 102.3 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the increase was more pronounced, with production worth rising from 130.9 million USD to 176.3 million USD over the same period. The market value demonstrated steady annual growth, reaching 147.0 million USD in 2023 compared to 109.7 million USD in 2018.

The physical volume of the domestic market fluctuated due to changes in export levels. A peak in exports of 24.8 thousand tons in 2021 reduced the domestic market volume to a low of 77.6 thousand tons. However, as exports declined in subsequent years, the domestic market volume recovered to 84.9 thousand tons by 2023. Imports remained minimal throughout the period, never exceeding 0.3 thousand tons annually from 2018 to 2023.

The consistent growth in market value, even during years of lower physical volume, indicates an underlying increase in the economic worth of the bean market in the region. By 2023, both production output and the value of beans available for domestic consumption had reached their highest levels in the period from 2018.

Production beans in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Western Africa's bean production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 98 390 tonnes of beans, marking a slight rise of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Africa's bean production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of beans was valued at 148.3 million US dollars in Western Africa, representing a 10.4% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 22.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports beans from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, bean deliveries from Western Africa amounted to 19 344 tonnes, up by 39.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 28.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 886 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom stood out as the main markets for bean exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 63.7% of exports, Italy for 14.6%, and the United Kingdom for 8.9%, together representing 87.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, bean exports from Western Africa totaled 29.165 million US dollars, up by 50.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 45.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19.336 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Italy remained the main buyers of beans from Western Africa in value terms, with a combined share of 82.9% of total exports. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports beans to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 6.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa imported 337 tonnes of beans, showing an uptick of 146.9% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 126 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 84.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the market base for bean imports in kind was wide. Turkey, Belgium, and India jointly accounted for just 15.1% of total flows, with Turkey at 11.7%, Belgium at 1.8%, and India at 1.6%. The remaining 84.9% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their highest point in 2020 and their lowest in 2019, with a 4.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Western Africa's volume of bean imports amounted to 533 000 US dollars, up by 360.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 116 000 US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 59.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, imports of beans to Western Africa in value terms were spread across many countries. Turkey, Belgium, and the United Kingdom jointly accounted for only 18.8% of total flows, with Turkey at 10.6%, Belgium at 4.6%, and the United Kingdom at 3.7%.

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

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