Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The coffee market in ECOWAS experienced significant volume and value changes between 2018 and 2023. In physical terms, market size fluctuated from 299 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 235 thousand tonnes in 2023, after reaching a peak of 329 thousand tonnes in 2021. In monetary terms, the market value rose from $528 million in 2018 to $589 million in 2022, before contracting to $450 million in 2023.

Production volumes declined steadily from 384 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 352 thousand tonnes in 2021, then recovered to 383 thousand tonnes in 2022 only to drop sharply to 275 thousand tonnes in 2023. Export volumes were highly volatile, falling dramatically from 119 thousand tonnes in 2019 to 30 thousand tonnes in 2021, which contributed to increased domestic availability and higher market size that year.

The interplay between production swings and export volatility defined the market's supply side, while imports remained relatively stable around 6-7 thousand tonnes annually. The sharp production drop in 2023, coupled with rising export volumes, led to a contraction in the domestic market size both in volume and value.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

ECOWAS production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 352.7 thousand tons, representing a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 384.0 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% decline, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 40.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes production in ECOWAS also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 516.5 million US dollars, marking an 8.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 674.3 million US dollars. The sharpest decline was in 2019 with a 16.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 37.4% gain.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes from ECOWAS showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The data reveals significant fluctuations, with import levels varying 2.5 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, exports totaled 77.0 thousand tons, down 35.5% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 119.4 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 90.4% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for ECOWAS exports in kind were Algeria, Spain, and Morocco. Algeria accounted for 40.0% of exports, Spain for 12.8%, and Morocco for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market for coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes from ECOWAS displayed volatility during the observed period. Values fluctuated significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, exports amounted to 112.8 million US dollars, a 38.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 183.2 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 86.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria, Spain, and Morocco were the key destinations for ECOWAS exports in value terms. Algeria represented 44.4% of export value, Spain 13.6%, and Morocco 8.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 66.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, import volumes of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes into ECOWAS declined. In 2020, imports reached 7.4 thousand tons, showing a slight decrease of 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 59%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 16.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7.4 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 38.5% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to ECOWAS came from a diverse range of partner countries. The top sources were China with 10.2% of imports, India with 5.1%, and Turkey with 4.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 20.1% of total import flows, indicating a highly fragmented supply structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes into ECOWAS increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 15.9 million US dollars, representing a slight rise of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 16.7%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

The geographical structure of imports in value terms to ECOWAS was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. The leading sources were Switzerland with 13.2% of import value, France with 8.8%, and Malaysia with 7.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 29.1% of total flows, while the remaining 70.9% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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