Coconuts market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Production of coconuts in Western Africa increased from 1 062 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 190 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was driven by government-led initiatives, such as Nigeria's Raw Material Research and Development Council targeting 10 million coconut trees by 2024 and the rehabilitation of coconut belts in Lagos State, alongside more farmers entering cultivation due to profitability and adopting yield-boosting techniques like triangular planting.

The domestic market size fluctuated, dropping to 946 thousand tons in 2021 before recovering to 1 173 thousand tons in 2023. The 2021 decline was largely due to a surge in exports, which jumped from 41 thousand tons in 2020 to 104 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by rising global demand for coconut-based foods and biofuels. Local consumption also grew, supported by lifestyle shifts and the expansion of coconut products into plant-based alternatives such as milk and yogurt.

Processing capacity expanded significantly, with registered coconut processors in Lagos State rising from 500 to 3 000 between 2019 and 2024. In Côte d'Ivoire, the government introduced regulatory reforms including price-setting committees and sector integration under agricultural boards to reverse a long production decline, aiming to reduce import dependence and capture value from the growing global coconut by-product market, projected to reach $95.64 billion by 2025.

Production coconuts in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

In 2019, Western Africa produced 1,041 thousand tonnes of coconuts, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then showed minimal change in 2020, reaching 1,047 thousand tonnes. The highest production level was recorded earlier in 2018 at 1,062 thousand tonnes, with 2019 experiencing the largest decline of 2.0%.

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

Exports coconuts from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Africa exported 40,537 tonnes of coconuts, representing a 25.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 45.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 31.4% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Africa's coconut exports were distributed across numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy—collectively accounted for only 27.8% of total export volume.

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, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. In 2017, export value reached its lowest point, while 2020 saw the peak with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. Specifically, 2020 exports totaled 30,018 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 82.4% year-over-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 35.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with an 82.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export value structure was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Belgium accounted for 16.0% of export value, the Netherlands for 14.7%, and Vietnam for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 42.3% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 57.7%.

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 coconuts to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, coconut imports to Western Africa declined in 2020 to 1,470 tonnes, representing a sharp 26.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,006 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 54.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and Turkey emerged as the primary suppliers of coconuts to Western Africa, though together they accounted for just 1.1% of total import volume.

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, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, coconut import value to Western Africa declined in 2020 to 1,894 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 15.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.8%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 2,231 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 8.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Africa sourced coconuts from many countries. Even the top three suppliers—Portugal, India, and Sri Lanka—collectively represented only 20.5% of total import value.

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

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