Kola nuts market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the domestic market volume for kola nuts in Côte d'Ivoire contracted from 44 417 tons to 29 949 tons. This decline was driven by rising exports, which grew from 14 480 tons to 29 234 tons over the period, as the sector remained heavily focused on shipping production to neighboring countries within ECOWAS, particularly Nigeria, with up to 70% of output exported.

In 2023, the market volume rebounded to 36 140 tons. This increase coincided with a drop in exports to 22 998 tons and a significant rise in export prices, which had grown by 24.5% since 2018 to approximately 3.05 USD per kilogram, reflecting stronger regional demand that altered trade flows and made more product available domestically.

Côte d'Ivoire consolidated its role as the world's leading producer and exporter of kola nuts throughout the period. The sector was supported by the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA), which promoted improved cultivation techniques, and plans were announced to launch a commodities exchange in Abidjan by 2024 to formalize trading and enhance price transparency for agricultural products including kola nuts.

Production kola nuts in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Côte d'Ivoire ranked as the second-largest producer of kola nuts from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of kola nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of kola nuts, 2017-2020

Following a two-year period of growth, kola nuts production in Côte d'Ivoire experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 59,155 tonnes of kola nuts, which remained largely stable compared to the previous year. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 59,238 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 0.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Kola nuts production in Côte d'Ivoire declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6,119 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 3.0% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.1%, translating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7,199 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports kola nuts from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign supplies of kola nuts from Côte d'Ivoire reached 23,121 tonnes, marking a small decrease of 0.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 32.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 14,480 tonnes, with the largest decline of 17.0% occurring that year. The peak was in 2019 at 23,309 tonnes, which also saw the most substantial increase of 61.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Mali were the primary markets for kola nuts exports from Côte d'Ivoire in terms of volume. Burkina Faso accounted for 33.3% of exports, Nigeria for 26.2%, and Mali for 16.9%, collectively representing 76.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, kola nuts shipments from Côte d'Ivoire to international markets amounted to 2,392 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate reduction of 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,770 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.6%. The highest value was in 2019 at 2,482 thousand US dollars, accompanied by the most significant increase of 40.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Mali consistently served as the main destinations for kola nuts exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value terms. Burkina Faso represented 31.4% of exports, Nigeria 24.5%, and Mali 15.5%, together accounting for 71.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports kola nuts to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached a low of 5 tonnes in 2018 and peaked at 39 tonnes in 2019, representing an 8.5-fold variation. In 2019, shipments to Côte d'Ivoire from abroad recorded 39 tonnes, a 749.8% increase from the prior year. The largest decline of 74.1% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana was the dominant source for kola nuts imports to Côte d'Ivoire in terms of volume, accounting for 92.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility over these years. Import values varied 4.1 times, from a low of 1 thousand US dollars in 2018 to a high of 2 thousand US dollars in 2019. In 2019, Côte d'Ivoire imported a total of 2 thousand US dollars worth of kola nuts, reflecting a 307.5% advance compared to 2018. The largest decline of 48.6% was recorded in 2018.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Ghana and Guinea together absorbed 100.0% of total imports in value terms for kola nuts to Côte d'Ivoire, indicating a highly concentrated market.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020