Carrots and turnips market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh carrots and turnips in ECOWAS expanded steadily from 2018 to 2021, with production rising from 313.4 thousand tons to 362.5 thousand tons and overall market volume growing from 337.5 thousand tons to 392.8 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by increasing global demand for healthy snacks such as baby carrots, a trend that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers shifted towards home consumption and sought immunity-boosting foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

After 2021, the market entered a phase of stabilization, with production and market volume hovering around 360 thousand tons and 390 thousand tons respectively in 2022 and 2023. Persistent challenges in global supply chains and logistics, coupled with unfavorable climatic conditions in some producing countries, moderated growth. However, continued investment in cold-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and the rising preference among younger consumers for convenient, healthy product formats helped maintain consumption levels.

Throughout the period, regulatory developments in food safety and evolving consumer preferences towards organic and 'better-for-you' options shaped market dynamics. The digitalization of production and distribution processes also emerged as a key factor in improving resilience and efficiency within the supply chain.

Production carrots and turnips in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

ECOWAS has seen its production of carrots and turnips grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 346.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.3% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The market for ECOWAS's carrot and turnip exports showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 28-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 28 tonnes, representing a 32.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 41 tonnes, and the most substantial increase happened in 2018, when exports surged by 2 641.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Mauritania, and France were the primary markets for ECOWAS's carrot and turnip exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 13.4% of exports, Mauritania for 10.8%, and France for 1.3%. Together, these three countries made up 25.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

ECOWAS's carrot and turnip exports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 68 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 147.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 456.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 77.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Mauritania consistently served as the main destinations for ECOWAS's carrot and turnip exports in value terms. The United Kingdom held a 50.8% share, Kenya 6.5%, and Mauritania 2.9%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 60.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

ECOWAS's imports of carrots and turnips have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 30 090 tonnes, up 3.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 17.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 24 072 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 20.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France were the key sources for ECOWAS's carrot and turnip imports in volume terms. Belgium contributed 31.6% of imports, the Netherlands 30.7%, and France 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 74.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

ECOWAS's carrot and turnip imports in value terms have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 14 947 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 40.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France formed the core group of markets for ECOWAS's carrot and turnip imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 31.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 26.8%, and France for 14.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 72.2% of total import value.

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

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