Market research

Kola nuts market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

The kola nuts market in ECOWAS began a period of gradual expansion in 2018, fueled by rising global demand and the nut's growing use in diverse industries such as beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This broader application base helped increase production, which moved from 259.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 261.8 thousand tons in 2019, while the market size grew to 260.7 thousand tons.

In the following years, the medicinal properties of kola nut extract, including its role as a bronchodilator and diuretic, further stimulated demand from the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Major market players responded by investing in improved extraction techniques to preserve active compounds, catering to the consumer shift toward natural ingredients. Although the COVID-19 pandemic affected market dynamics, the sector maintained its growth trajectory through 2021.

Favorable climatic conditions in West and Central Africa, along with continuous innovation in product segments, supported steady market growth into 2022 and 2023. The global market for kola nut extract kept rising, reinforcing the region's dominant production position and helping lift the ECOWAS market size to 267.8 thousand tons by 2023.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production kola nuts in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kola nuts, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of kola nuts, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

ECOWAS has seen kola nuts production rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 262.9 thousand tonnes of kola nuts, showing minimal change from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.2%	0.7%	0.4%	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kola nuts from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 with a 2.1-fold increase between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 1 255 tonnes of kola nuts, representing a 37.3% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 000 tonnes, which also marked the largest annual increase of 99.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.3%	99.8%	(37.3%)	10.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (accounting for 2.3% of exports in kind), Chad (0.9%), and France (0.7%) were the leading destinations for ECOWAS kola nuts exports. Together, these three countries represented 3.9% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, kola nuts exports from ECOWAS reached 3 073 thousand US dollars, down 12.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 711 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 22.7%. In contrast, 2019 showed the strongest growth with a 29.3% increase.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.7%)	29.3%	(12.3%)	(4.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, France (4.6% of exports in value terms), the United States (4.3%), and Chad (4.0%) formed the key group of trading partners for ECOWAS kola nuts exports. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 12.9% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kola nuts to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

ECOWAS has experienced growth in kola nuts imports for three consecutive years. In 2020, import volume reached 1 005 tonnes, representing a 19.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 124 322%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 975.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	80 728.4%	28.4%	19.9%	975.6%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

ECOWAS has recorded increased kola nuts imports for two straight years. In 2020, imports stood at 4 372 thousand US dollars, marking a 25.9% year-over-year rise. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 795 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest annual decline of 54.4%.

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