Carrots and turnips market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh carrots and turnips in Middle Africa grew from 148 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 162 thousand tonnes in 2023, despite a temporary dip to 142.5 thousand tonnes in 2019. This overall expansion was driven by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 139 thousand tonnes to 161 thousand tonnes over the period. A key supporting factor was the launch in 2018 of an agricultural project in North Kivu province aimed at boosting food crop output, including potatoes and maize, which continued through 2023 and contributed to higher vegetable production.

From 2020 onward, consistent production gains offset lower import levels, sustaining market growth. In 2024, the government officially launched the 2024-2025 agricultural campaign, mobilizing significant resources across all provinces to revive farming and achieve food self-sufficiency. The campaign included measures for mechanization, seed distribution, and subsidies for specialized structures, while price fluctuations for carrots in Kinshasa markets reflected ongoing adjustments in local supply and demand.

Production carrots and turnips in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

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

Middle Africa's production of carrots and turnips has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 146.1 thousand tons of these vegetables, marking a 4.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 at 4 tons, then surged to a peak of 25 tons in 2019, representing a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa's carrot and turnip exports totaled 21 tons, a sharp decline of 14.3% from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2018, falling by 81.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, jumping by 556.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Uganda, and Spain were key buyers of carrots and turnips from Middle Africa, accounting for 18.6%, 11.6%, and 2.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 33.1% of total exports, with the remaining 66.9% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Export values varied significantly, with a 6.3-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, the value of carrot and turnip exports from Middle Africa reached 15 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 35.9% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 84.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, climbing by 193.9%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Nigeria, Spain, and the Bahamas accounted for 31.6%, 8.6%, and 6.7% of exports in value, respectively, but together they made up only 46.9% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their maximum in 2018 at 8 982 tons, then fell to a minimum of 886 tons in 2020, a 10.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, carrot and turnip imports into Middle Africa totaled 886 tons, down by 56.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 77.3%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 131.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Portugal together dominated Middle Africa's carrot and turnip imports in kind, accounting for 94.6% of the total. Other countries contributed to a diversified but less significant portion of imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Carrot and turnip imports into Middle Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 554 thousand US dollars, down by 57.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 81.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 43.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms was characterized by the strong dominance of South Africa, which held an 81.0% share of total flows. Other partners accounted for relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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