Coconuts market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the coconut market volume in Senegal increased from 9 442 t to 11 683 t. This expansion was driven by a dedicated government horticultural policy, including the establishment of the Direction de l’horticulture in 2018, which encouraged imports of tropical coconuts from Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire to meet local demand.

After peaking in 2019, the market entered a period of contraction, with volume falling to 10 656 t in 2020 and further to 9 745 t in 2022. This downturn coincided with a series of regulatory changes: the Senegalese Standardization Association updated the agro-food regulatory framework in 2021, preparing stricter quality and labeling standards for coconut products. The following year, a new sectoral regulation for essential goods imposed traceability and labeling requirements, which likely affected market supply and contributed to the decline.

Market volume dropped significantly to 7 826 t in 2023. In 2024, the government issued a price control measure for several staple foods, indicating a broader policy environment that could indirectly influence the pricing and positioning of coconut-based products in the future.

Production coconuts in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Senegal's coconut production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 800 tons of coconuts, marking a significant 20.0% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 50%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with no change recorded. The most substantial increase was observed in 2019, when production surged by 25.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports coconuts from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, the volume of coconuts exported from Senegal amounted to 0.1 tons, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 99.5%, resulting in an annualized decline rate of 82.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal's coconut exports were primarily directed towards Mali, which accounted for 99.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Senegal exported coconuts worth 0.8 thousand US dollars, with minimal change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values decreased by 97.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 70.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Mali dominated Senegal's coconut exports in value terms, consistently representing 97.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconuts to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Senegal's coconut imports declined. In 2020, the country imported 5 856 tons of coconuts, down by 23.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 36.9%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 11.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 683 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 45.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, coconut imports to Senegal were mainly sourced from Côte d'Ivoire, which supplied 93.4% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of gains, Senegal's coconut import value declined. In 2020, imports stood at 554.3 thousand US dollars, down by 31.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values decreased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 810.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire held the dominant position in Senegal's coconut imports by value, accounting for 81.9% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller sources.

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

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