Coconuts market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the African coconut market reached a production and consumption peak in 2018 at 2 163 thousand tons, supported by record harvests in Ghana and strong demand for coconut oil. After this high, the market declined in 2019 due to price volatility and a post-peak adjustment. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further impacted supply chains, though shifting consumer preferences toward natural and healthy products began to bolster the organic coconut segment.

Market volume dropped to 1 998 thousand tons in 2021, even as the processing sector saw rapid growth in crude coconut oil imports and large-scale interventions in Kenya to distribute hybrid seedlings. Recovery emerged in 2022, with volume rising to 2 092 thousand tons, driven by diversification into value-added products like dried coconut and oil, alongside Ghana's adherence to EU quality standards. A significant surge to 2 309 thousand tons in 2023 followed increased production in Kenya from government and private initiatives, coupled with global demand for natural and organic goods.

By 2024, consumption stabilized around 2.1 million tons, with record production of coconut oil and enhanced efforts in Ghana and Kenya to improve quality, traceability, and certification. Global trends toward plant-based and sustainable products continued to spur innovation in coconut water, milk, and functional snacks, while tighter regulations on labeling and organic certifications reshaped production practices.

Production coconuts in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Coconut production in Africa has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Africa produced 2 102 thousand tonnes of coconuts, representing a slight decrease of 1.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.3%.

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

Exports coconuts from Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Africa exported 40 370 tonnes of coconuts, marking a robust increase of 21.0% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 45.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 9.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 32.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy were the top buyers of African coconuts, accounting for 13.6%, 9.0%, and 4.4% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 27.0% of total exports, indicating a diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2020, volumes varied by a factor of two. In 2020, coconut shipments from Africa reached 32 502 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt increase of 81.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 35.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in value terms was scattered. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Vietnam accounted for 14.7%, 13.7%, and 10.5% of exports in value, respectively, but together they represented just 38.9% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports coconuts to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Africa's coconut import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Africa imported approximately 37 685 tonnes of coconuts, reflecting a robust uptick of 16.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 78.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of coconuts to Africa were widely dispersed across partner countries. Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines contributed 19.5%, 15.6%, and 7.6% of imports in kind, respectively, but together they represented only 42.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Africa imported 47 300 thousand US dollars worth of coconuts, corresponding to a slight uptick of 1.3% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 64 996 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 28.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 53.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka made the biggest contributions to imports in value terms, accounting for 39.5%, 28.9%, and 10.5% of imports in value, respectively. Together, they jointly accounted for 78.9% of total flows.

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

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