In-shell walnuts market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The in-shell walnuts market in Sub-Saharan Africa maintained stable volume from 2018 through 2021, with annual market size hovering around 127 thousand tons. This period of equilibrium was driven by consistent domestic production, which remained at 128 thousand tons each year, while minimal import and export activity had little impact on the overall supply.

A decisive shift occurred in 2022, initiating a period of market expansion. Production increased by 5% to 134.9 thousand tons, lifting the market volume to 134.5 thousand tons. The growth accelerated the following year, with a further 8% rise in production to 145.1 thousand tons, which pushed the total market size to 144.9 thousand tons in 2023.

Over the full period from 2018 to 2023, the market for in-shell walnuts grew by 14%, adding nearly 18 thousand tons of volume. The most significant increases were concentrated in the final two years, marking a clear departure from the earlier pattern of stability.

Production in-shell walnuts in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 128.0 K t of in-shell walnuts, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Production reached its maximum in 2019 at 128.0 K t. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 19.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.2%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 18.7%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 90 t, with the largest decline that year of 79.2%. In 2019, exports saw the largest increase of 288.2%. By 2020, in-shell walnut exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 1 197 t, marking a steep rise of 243.8% compared to 2019, which was the peak year. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 13.3-fold.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey, Portugal, and Lebanon remained the key destinations for exports in kind. Turkey accounted for 38.7% of exports, Portugal for 11.4%, and Lebanon for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 58.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms reached their minimum in 2018 at 304 K $ US, with the largest decline that year of 79.6%. In 2019, exports recorded the largest increase of 134.4%. By 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's in-shell walnut export volume was 771 K $ US, up by 8.4% compared to the previous year. The peak occurred in 2017, and the fluctuation between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018 was 4.9-fold.

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

In 2017–2020, Portugal, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms. Portugal represented 27.6% of exports, Turkey 23.0%, and the United Arab Emirates 16.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 67.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports in kind reached their minimum in 2020 at 23 t, down by 58.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 64.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 29.8%. The peak was in 2017, with a 5.2-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2020.

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

The analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Portugal accounted for 17.3% of imports, China for 16.9%, and Malaysia for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 45.1% of total flows, with a significant 54.9% coming from other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports in value terms reached their minimum in 2020 at 132 K $ US, down by 57.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 69.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 41.4%. The peak occurred in 2017, with a 5.5-fold variation between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2020.

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

In 2017–2020, imports in value terms of in-shell walnuts to Sub-Saharan Africa were spread across many countries. China accounted for 18.6% of imports, Portugal for 16.5%, and Spain for 12.8%. Together, these three countries jointly represented only 47.8% of total flows.

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

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