Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in Northern Africa expanded from 2018 to 2019, with production rising by 10% to 2 381 thousand tons and market volume reaching 2 241 thousand tons. This initial growth was driven by national agricultural strategies that prioritized pepper cultivation and encouraged integrated farming projects. In 2019, the entry of new players into pepper farming and the development of processing facilities further stimulated output. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted agricultural activities, causing production to drop by 7% to 2 212 thousand tons and market volume to decline to 2 069 thousand tons. Despite these challenges, pepper exports found support through increased access to Gulf markets.

The market contraction deepened in 2021, with production falling sharply by 18% to 1 811 thousand tons and market volume shrinking to 1 647 thousand tons. During this period, authorities emphasized balancing export commitments with domestic supply, which influenced trade flows. Subsequently, a strong recovery emerged in 2022, as production surged by 32% to 2 381 thousand tons and market volume jumped to 2 209 thousand tons. This rebound was fueled by improved handling and packaging techniques for sweet peppers, alongside growing consumer preference for fresh, healthy produce. The upward trend continued in 2023, with production climbing to 2 484 thousand tons and market value exceeding $3.2 billion, aided by the introduction of new hot pepper varieties and evolving consumption patterns.

Recent sector developments include investor expansion in hot pepper cultivation in Egypt and a comprehensive policy review under the 2025 Finance Law, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance pepper production and market efficiency in Northern Africa.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2 381 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 7.1% in 2020 to 2 212 thousand tonnes. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 10.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruits production in Northern Africa was 2 331 million US dollars, representing a 4.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest value during the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2018 at 2 196 million US dollars, which marked a substantial decline of 20.9%. Production rebounded in 2019 with a 10.6% increase, but overall, the value decreased by 16% over the four-year period, with an average annual decline of 5.6%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Africa exported 143.2 thousand tonnes of capsicum and pimenta fruits, showing a modest increase of 2.3% from 2019. The highest export volume during the 2017-2020 period was in 2018 at 161.4 thousand tonnes, which represented a significant 37.0% jump. Exports then dropped by 13.3% in 2019 before recovering slightly in 2020. Overall, exports grew by 21.5% over the four-year period, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and Germany were the three main markets for Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 78.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports were valued at 151.0 million US dollars, up 5.7% from 2019. The highest value during the period was recorded in 2018 at 163.9 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 142.8 million US dollars, marking a decline of 12.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 7.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and Germany were the primary markets for Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports in value terms. Spain accounted for 38.3% of exports, France for 32.9%, and Germany for 11.4%, together making up 82.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits imports in volume terms showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 71.2%. In 2020, imports rebounded to 0.1 thousand tonnes, a dramatic increase of 91.6% from the previous year. Over the period, import volumes varied significantly, with a 4.1-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania, Senegal, and Spain were the key sources for Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits imports in volume terms. Mauritania accounted for 1.9% of imports, Senegal for 1.7%, and Spain for 1.2%, together representing 4.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits imports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, dropping by 14.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased substantially by 82.2%, with an average annual decline of 43.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruits imports in value terms were not highly concentrated. Spain accounted for 5.9% of imports, France for 1.7%, and Italy for 1.2%, with these three countries together capturing only 8.7% of total import value.

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

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