Dried shelled cow peas market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled cow peas market in ECOWAS grew from 7 826 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 8 415 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was supported by regional agricultural policies under ECOWAP and aligned national investment plans, which aimed to transform the agricultural sector and improve governance across member states.

Market volume then fell to 7 234 thousand tonnes in 2021, followed by a strong recovery to 8 785 thousand tonnes in 2022. The subsequent decline to 8 070 thousand tonnes in 2023 coincided with Côte d'Ivoire's suspension of food crop exports, including cowpeas, to ensure domestic food security, a measure that affected regional trade flows.

Entering 2024, the export suspension remained in effect, while political instability and the exit of several member states from ECOWAS introduced further challenges to regional cooperation and market integration.

Production dried shelled cow peas in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled cow peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled cow peas, 2017-2020

ECOWAS has seen its dried shelled cow peas production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 415 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 6.3%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled cow peas from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 67-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 495.5 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas, representing a sharp year-over-year surge of 6 581.3%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at just 7.4 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred that same year, dropping by 93.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of dried shelled cow peas from ECOWAS were not heavily concentrated. The United Kingdom accounted for 30.5% of exports, Ireland for 5.9%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.8%. Together, these three countries made up only 41.2% 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, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was marked by volatility. Export values varied significantly, with a 45-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, ECOWAS's dried shelled cow peas exports were valued at 359.9 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 4 379.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8.0 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 92.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of dried shelled cow peas from ECOWAS were spread across many countries. The United Kingdom held 15.2% of export value, the United Arab Emirates 6.2%, and Ireland 6.1%. Combined, these three countries represented just 27.5% 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 dried shelled cow peas to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 22-fold gap between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS imported 219.5 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas, down 24.5% from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 395.9 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 26.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, soaring by 2 075.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal and Canada were the primary destinations in the geographical structure of imports in kind, but together they accounted for only 2.2% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Import values fluctuated, with a 2.1-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, foreign supplies of dried shelled cow peas to ECOWAS totaled 232.8 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep year-over-year reduction of 31.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 461.7 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase that year was 110.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of dried shelled cow peas to ECOWAS relied on a wide range of partner countries. Portugal accounted for 7.3% of import value, Canada for 7.0%, and Belgium for 2.9%. Together, these three countries made up just 17.2% of total import flows.

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

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