Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Sao Tome and Principe

Earlier Report Observations

The coffee market in Sao Tome and Principe reached 14.6 tonnes in 2018, a period when Angolan entrepreneurs showed interest in strengthening commercial ties, which could have supported trade activity. In 2019, the district council contracted a Chinese company to rehabilitate the Coco-Coco market, aiming to improve distribution infrastructure, though the market volume declined to 10.0 tonnes. The government's closure of the main market due to COVID-19 in 2020 directly reduced local commercial activity and consumption, pulling the market size down to 9.2 tonnes.

Market volume rebounded to 12.8 tonnes in 2021, a year marked by Gabonese businesspeople scouting the market for exporting local products, indicating external interest. However, the market contracted again to 9.2 tonnes in 2022. By 2023, Portuguese investors expressed intent to invest in agriculture, and the announcement of 100% organic local production starting in 2024 helped push the market size to 9.9 tonnes.

In 2024, the historic Monte Café and Água Izé coffee plantations were included on the UNESCO tentative list, which could enhance the cultural value of coffee, while the central bank reported economic growth below 1% and 10% inflation, factors that may influence consumer purchasing power for coffee products.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Sao Tome and Principe

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

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

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

Coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes production in São Tomé and Príncipe rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 7 000 kg, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, overall production fell by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6 850 kg, which also saw the sharpest annual decline of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Sao Tome and Principe

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes from São Tomé and Príncipe showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 568 kg, which represented a dramatic 90.3% drop from the previous year. By 2019, exports surged by 126.5% to reach 1 350 kg in 2020, a 4.9% increase from 2019. Overall, export volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a 10.3-fold difference between the 2017 peak and the 2018 low.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Germany dominated São Tomé and Príncipe's exports in kind, collectively accounting for 74.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

After two years of decline, the value of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports from São Tomé and Príncipe increased in 2020. Export value reached 10 340 US dollars, representing a substantial 24.5% year-over-year growth. However, over the 2017-2020 period, total export value decreased by 65.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -29.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 307 US dollars, which saw the largest annual decline of 52.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands consistently led São Tomé and Príncipe's export structure in value terms. France accounted for 48.6% of export value, Germany for 13.3%, and the Netherlands for 8.5%, together representing 70.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Sao Tome and Principe

Imports in kind, kg

São Tomé and Príncipe's imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 3 527 kg. This represented a significant 19.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 51.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 528 kg, which saw a 4.3% increase from the previous year. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 41.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the nearly exclusive supplier of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to São Tomé and Príncipe, accounting for 99.3% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

The value of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes imports into São Tomé and Príncipe declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 47 915 US dollars. This represented a steep 30.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 48.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal almost completely dominated the geographical structure of imports in value terms for coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes into São Tomé and Príncipe, accounting for 99.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020