Fonio market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The fonio market volume in Western Africa fluctuated between 2018 and 2020, starting at 646.2 thousand tons in 2018. That year, in Burkina Faso, the urban market was entirely supplied by local processors, while in Mali, the value chain was studied to enhance climate resilience and women's incomes. The volume edged down to 634.9 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 661.1 thousand tons in 2020, with production and consumption concentrated in Guinea, Nigeria, and Mali.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume continued to expand, reaching 689.9 thousand tons in 2023. The growth in 2023 was partly driven by increased production in Ghana to approximately 3,000 metric tons, supported by investments and organizations promoting fonio's nutritional benefits. Simultaneously, in Guinea, changes in the supply chain, including the emergence of producer cooperatives and the launch of a Fairtrade program in late 2023, began altering market structure by reducing processor monopoly and improving farmer returns.

In 2024, further initiatives strengthened the market foundation: in Guinea, the fonio program obtained Fairtrade certification, while in Burkina Faso, production of pre-cooked fonio grew by over 1,200 tons in three years due to improved processing and market coordination. New product innovations such as biodegradable packaging from a Guinean startup and fonio-based beer from an international collaboration, along with expanded distribution in the United States and the United Kingdom, fostered greater global interest in this resilient crop.

Production fonio in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fonio, 2017-2020

World map of production of fonio, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, fonio production in Western Africa increased in 2020. That year, 661.4 thousand tonnes of fonio were produced, marking a 4.1% rise compared to 2019. Production had reached its lowest point in 2019 at 635.2 thousand tonnes, following the largest decline of 3.0% in 2018.

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

Exports fonio from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 at 262.2 tonnes and dropped to their lowest level in 2018 at 83.8 tonnes, representing a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 259.9 tonnes of fonio, a slight 0.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 45.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 213.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for fonio exports in kind were the United States, France, and the Netherlands. Together, they accounted for 79.7% 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 Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values reached their maximum in 2019 at 416.6 thousand US dollars and fell to their minimum in 2018 at 138.4 thousand US dollars, showing a threefold variation. In 2020, fonio deliveries from Western Africa amounted to 228.2 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 45.2% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 201.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States, France, and the Netherlands remained the main markets for fonio exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 49.4% of exports, France for 23.9%, and the Netherlands for 15.3%, with these three countries jointly taking 88.6% of total export flows.

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 fonio to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes reached their maximum in 2018 at 1.8 tonnes and dropped to their minimum in 2020 at 0.1 tonnes, a 22-fold shift. In 2020, fonio volumes in Western Africa stood at 0.1 tonne, equivalent to a decline of 89.9% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 1 245.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France and Switzerland were the main destinations for fonio imports in kind to Western Africa, together accounting for 43.4% of total import flows.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values hit their maximum in 2018 at 8.9 thousand US dollars, falling to the lowest point in 2017, with a fluctuation of 66 times between these years. In 2020, fonio deliveries to Western Africa reached 0.2 thousand US dollars, which is 11.1% weaker versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 97.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6 544.5%.

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

In the years 2017 to 2020, France and Switzerland remained the main suppliers of fonio to Western Africa in value terms, with their joint share amounting to 91.9% of total imports.

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

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