Cabbages market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, cabbage production in Western Africa rose from 509 thousand tons to 795 thousand tons, with market volume reaching 805 thousand tons by 2020. This initial growth was supported by the spread of early-maturing, heat-resistant F1 hybrid varieties adapted to both hot dry and rainy seasons, which enhanced local yields. Seasonal production dips during hot dry periods temporarily reduced local supply and encouraged new market entrants, affecting price dynamics in regions like western Niger. Although climatic hazards such as floods posed risks to crops and infrastructure in 2019, production continued to expand.

Between 2021 and 2022, the market maintained an upward trajectory. Production dipped slightly to 762 thousand tons in 2021, but a surge in imports to 50.5 thousand tons lifted total market size to 813 thousand tons. The following year, production recovered to 822 thousand tons, imports moderated to 34 thousand tons, and the market grew further to 856 thousand tons.

By 2023, production climbed to 957 thousand tons and the cabbage market reached 988 thousand tons. This period saw increased involvement of agri-food SMEs, which adapted to urban demand and modern regulatory requirements, improving commercialization and distribution. Public and private support programs, including funding for agricultural SMEs, encouraged investment in production and marketing. In 2024, factors such as persistently low dry-season output, climate-induced reductions in agricultural production, improved access to finance for SMEs, and evolving distribution networks tailored to urban consumers continued to shape market conditions, with imports falling to 9.9 thousand tons and exports beginning to emerge.

Production cabbages in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Cabbage production in Western Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 795.3 K t of cabbages, marking a sharp 33.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 63.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.7%.

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

Exports cabbages from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 16 t of cabbages, representing a sharp decline of 64.4% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a growth of 234.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cabbage exports from Western Africa were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 11.2% of exports in kind, France for 5.3%, and Canada for 3.9%, with these three countries together representing just 20.5% of total export 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their peak in 2019, varying by a factor of 3.7 between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 24 K $ US worth of cabbages, down by 72.7% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 87 K $ US, with the largest increase also occurring in that year at 169.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the leading buyer of cabbages from Western Africa in value terms, accounting for 47.2% of exports. Czechia followed with 8.6%, and the United Kingdom with 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 64.1% of total export value.

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 cabbages to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cabbage imports into Western Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 9 703 t, marking a significant rise of 465.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 900.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 115.5%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the most important supplier of cabbages to Western Africa in kind, accounting for 32.8% of imports. Portugal contributed 2.1%, and Spain 1.8%. However, their combined share reached only 36.6% of total imports in kind, with the remaining 63.4% distributed among many other partners.

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

Cabbage imports into Western Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 3 360 K $ US, up by 144.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 326.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 62.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. Morocco accounted for 29.9% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 10.3%, and France for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 48.2% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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