Edible brassicas market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled edible brassicas in Congo experienced a slight decrease in total volume from 1 771 т in 2018 to approximately 1 700 т in subsequent years, stabilizing near this level through 2023. This shift was driven by a sharp reduction in imports, which fell from 135 т in 2018 to an average of 30-37 т annually from 2019 onward, while domestic production showed gradual growth from 1 635 т to 1 670 т over the same period.

Local production expansion was underpinned by increased focus on cabbage cultivation, evidenced by a profitability study in the Rutshuru territory conducted from 2019 to 2021. This was further bolstered in 2022 when the Project to Support Commercial Agriculture Development (PDAC), backed by the World Bank, provided the Agrofield Business cooperative with 50 million CFA francs for semi-industrial equipment, significantly boosting its output and contributing to stable production levels.

Regulatory and market factors also influenced the landscape. Although not directly confirmed for Congo, a French labeling law for fresh fruits and vegetables introduced in February 2020 may have indirectly raised import standards, coinciding with persistently low import volumes. Additionally, food price fluctuations highlighted in mid-2023 affected consumption and distribution patterns for fresh brassicas.

Production edible brassicas in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Congo's edible brassicas production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,684 tonnes of edible brassicas, marking a 1.6% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports edible brassicas from Congo

Market analysis data indicates that Congo did not export any edible brassicas from 2017 to 2020.

Imports edible brassicas to Congo

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Congo imported 30.6 tonnes of edible brassicas, a decrease of 37.9% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 135.3 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 63.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 75.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant partner for Congo's imports of edible brassicas in kind, accounting for 78.7% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The period from 2018 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 5.4 times. In 2020, Congo imported edible brassicas worth {value_last_year} thousand US dollars, down 35.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 228.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 71.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 111.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France remained the primary source for Congo's edible brassicas imports in value terms, capturing 80.9% of total imports, while the rest was distributed among other countries.

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

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