Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Western Africa expanded in physical volume from 102 846 t in 2018 to a peak of 127 456 t in 2021, representing a growth of nearly 24% over three years. This upward trajectory reversed in the subsequent period, with market volume declining to 104 080 t in 2022 and further to 94 026 t in 2023.

Measured in monetary value, the market exhibited a more volatile pattern. It rose sharply from $161.5 million in 2018 to $234.1 million in 2020, then contracted to $198.4 million in 2021. A partial recovery to $210.9 million in 2022 was followed by a drop to $160.5 million in 2023, bringing the market value near its 2018 level at the close of the period.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

Western Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 42 042 tonnes, marking a 3.4% decrease from 2019. Production peaked in 2019 at 43 527 tonnes. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 9.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 10.5%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Western Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, shipments totaled 5 576 tonnes, down 9.8% from 2019. Exports reached their highest level in 2018 at 8 228 tonnes. The sharpest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 24.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 46.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Congo, the Netherlands, and Gabon were among the largest buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Western Africa, accounting for 1.1%, 1.0%, and 1.0% of exports in kind, respectively. However, together they represented just 3.1% of total exports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base for the region.

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, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Western Africa increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 20.2 million US dollars, up 4.8% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 20.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.4%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Congo, the Netherlands, and Gabon accounted for 3.2%, 1.6%, and 1.1% of exports in value terms, respectively, jointly making up only 5.9% of total flows. The remaining 94.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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 cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into Western Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 78 278 tonnes, up 6.1% from 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 68 703 tonnes, which also experienced a decline of 2.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.6%, with an annualized rate of 3.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Turkey were the main suppliers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Western Africa, accounting for 36.2%, 13.5%, and 7.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they comprised 57.0% 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, M $ US

Western Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume amounted to 101.9 million US dollars, up 52.0% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 65.1 million US dollars, which also saw a decline of 6.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 46.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in value terms of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Western Africa were not heavily concentrated. China, Colombia, and India accounted for 31.6%, 8.2%, and 7.1% of imports in value terms, respectively, jointly making up 46.9% of total 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