Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh capsicum and pimenta fruits in Western Africa expanded steadily from 1 555 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 841 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was driven primarily by increasing domestic production, which rose by more than 250 thousand tons across the period.

After strong annual gains in 2019 and 2020, the market volume stabilized in 2021 before resuming its upward trajectory in the following two years. The brief plateau did not reverse the overall expansion, and by 2023 consumption had reached a new high.

International trade played a minor role, with imports and exports remaining low relative to the size of the domestic market. The consistent growth in production capacity underscores the region's increasing focus on capsicum and pimenta cultivation.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Western 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

Western Africa's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 758 thousand tons, showing a moderate increase of 6.4% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 244 tons, while the highest occurred in 2017, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.3 times. In 2020, Western Africa exported 1 358 tons of capsicum and pimenta fruits, marking a 9.2% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was seen in 2019, with a drop of 80.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Western Africa's exports in kind consisted of Belarus, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Belarus accounted for 37.8% of exports, the United Kingdom for 8.3%, and Germany for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 47.3% 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

After a two-year decline, capsicum and pimenta fruits exports from Western Africa have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 3 368 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong rise of 22.8% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 68.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 31.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 743 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 62.2% also occurring in that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus and the United Kingdom remained the primary markets for Western Africa's exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 83.9% of total export flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year reduction, capsicum and pimenta fruits imports into Western Africa have increased. In 2020, import volume registered 852 tons, which is 12.2% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 64.8%, with an annualized rate of decline of 29.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 759 tons, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 61.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, capsicum and pimenta fruits were imported into Western Africa from many countries. Even the largest destinations—Morocco, Spain, and Portugal—together represented only 20.5% of total imports in kind.

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

Western Africa's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 468 thousand US dollars, reflecting an advance of 6.9% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands formed the key group of partners for Western Africa's imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 23.3% of imports, Portugal for 20.2%, and the Netherlands for 16.5%. Together, these three countries represented 60.0% of total import flows.

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

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