Flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Production of flour from sago, roots or tubers in Western Africa expanded significantly from 3.2 million tons in 2018 to over 5.5 million tons in 2023. The initial increase was supported by the commissioning of a semi-industrial unit for producing local flours from cassava, plantain, sweet potato and yam in Côte d'Ivoire in 2018, aimed at reducing post‑harvest losses and substituting wheat flour in various baked goods.

A sharp jump occurred in 2020, when output rose by more than 1.7 million tons to reach 5.1 million tons. The upward trend continued into 2021 with a pilot program in Côte d’Ivoire that sought to replace 5% of wheat flour with cassava flour in bread production, despite facing technical and logistical hurdles.

Growth moderated after 2021 but remained positive, aided by external pressures. The war in Ukraine in 2022 drove up wheat import costs, making local flours more attractive and prompting government‑backed substitution campaigns in Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Cameroon. In 2023, further support came from corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as the donation of cassava processing mills to a local cooperative in Gabon, which helped sustain local flour production.

Production flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

World map of production of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

Production of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers in Western Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Western Africa produced 5 107 thousand tonnes of this product, marking a 50.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 61.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Volumes varied 1.8 times, from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020. In 2020, the output of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers was valued at 3 428 million US dollars in Western Africa, up by 75.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 951 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 16.4%.

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

Exports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers leaving Western Africa amounted to 10 160 tonnes, showing a significant increase of 30.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 87.1%.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. The United States accounted for 7.1% of exports in kind, France for 5.4%, and the United Kingdom for 5.0%, together making up just 17.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers from Western Africa reached 6 820 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp gain of 52.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 79.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 24.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 54.6%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide, with the United States accounting for 19.4% of exports in value terms, France for 13.0%, and the United Kingdom for 10.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 42.5% of total flows, while the remaining 57.5% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The volume of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers imports into Western Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 760 tonnes, which is 16.3% less than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 91.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and the United States stood out among suppliers of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers to Western Africa, jointly accounting for 20.2% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Western Africa's imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 1 201 thousand US dollars, which is 39.1% less year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 57.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 448 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 55.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 55.7%.

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

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide, with Turkey accounting for 29.5% of imports in value terms, the United States for 3.6%, and Portugal for 1.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 34.8% of total flows, while the remaining 65.2% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

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