Dried shelled cow peas market in Northern Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of dried shelled cow peas in Northern Africa declined from 182.1 thousand tonnes to 155.4 thousand tonnes. In 2019, sporadic export bans on pulses in Morocco led to a loss of foreign markets, reducing incentives for local growers and contributing to lower output.

Recovery began in 2021 as production rose to 172.1 thousand tonnes. In Algeria, the opening of direct sales points by cooperatives improved market access for producers, helping to stabilize prices and encourage cultivation. By 2022, production reached 190.8 thousand tonnes after Algerian authorities entrusted all dried vegetable imports to the state-controlled OAIC, which allowed better supply management and support for local farming.

Output edged down to 183.9 thousand tonnes in 2023. That same year, Algeria launched an ambitious plan to revive dried vegetable cultivation, targeting self-sufficiency with tens of thousands of hectares sown. By 2024, state measures such as VAT removal and profit margin caps were introduced to control prices, while sown area for pulses expanded significantly.

Production dried shelled cow peas in Northern Africa

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

Dried shelled cow peas production in Northern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 155.4 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 182.1 thousand tonnes, which represented a 5.8% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 7.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled cow peas from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Northern Africa exported 37.1 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas in 2020, representing a significant 61.1% increase compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Niger, and the United Kingdom remained the top destinations for Northern Africa's dried shelled cow peas exports by volume. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 38.3% of exports, Niger for 33.2%, and the United Kingdom for 27.4%. Together, these three countries represented 99.0% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern Africa's dried shelled cow peas exports generated 34.5 thousand US dollars, showing a remarkable 252.0% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates dominated Northern Africa's dried shelled cow peas exports by value, jointly accounting for 91.1% of total export revenue. Other countries represented the remaining share.

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

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

Imports dried shelled cow peas to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed considerable volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 7.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa imported 334.2 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas, which was 31.5% higher than in 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 543.9 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 53.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, when imports surged by 655.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar, Brazil, and Turkey were the main suppliers of dried shelled cow peas to Northern Africa by volume. Madagascar accounted for 32.6% of imports, Brazil for 19.5%, and Turkey for 19.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 71.6% of Northern Africa's total imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest value in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's dried shelled cow peas imports were valued at 272.2 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 2.8% increase from the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 446.9 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when import value dropped by 40.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, when import value rose by 583.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Madagascar, Turkey, and Brazil—together accounted for 64.5% of the total value of dried shelled cow peas imports to Northern Africa.

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

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