Lettuce and chicory market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory in Western Africa experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2023. Volume expanded from 320.3 thousand tons to 831.7 thousand tons, representing a more than twofold increase over the six-year period.

Growth was particularly strong between 2020 and 2023, with the market adding nearly 360 thousand tons. A minor contraction occurred in 2021, but this was quickly overshadowed by the rapid expansion in the following two years.

This increase in market volume was supported entirely by rising domestic production, which climbed from 314.1 thousand tons to 831.4 thousand tons, while import volumes remained negligible and trended downward throughout the period.

Production lettuce and chicory in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Western Africa's lettuce and chicory production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 472.1 thousand tonnes, marking a 23.0% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 46%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 314.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.8%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 18 tonnes, after peaking in 2017, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 48 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, representing a significant 165.6% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 47.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of lettuce and chicory from Western Africa were France, accounting for 50.8% of exports in kind, Italy with 27.3%, and Belgium at 2.8%. Together, these three countries made up 81.0% of total exports in kind.

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 market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2019 at 55 thousand US dollars, after reaching a peak in 2020, with a twofold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 112 thousand US dollars worth of lettuce and chicory, a sharp increase of 103.7% year-on-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 38.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Italy together accounted for 88.0% of total exports in value terms, while other countries contributed to a more diversified but less significant portion of the market.

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 lettuce and chicory to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports in kind were at their lowest in 2017, then surged to a high of 6 192 tonnes in 2018, showing a 15-fold increase. In 2020, lettuce and chicory imports into Western Africa stood at 629 tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 89.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1 432.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of lettuce and chicory to Western Africa were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Chile accounted for 17.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 17.1%, and Ireland for 11.8%, with these three countries jointly making up 46.2% of total 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 112 thousand US dollars, after peaking in 2018 at 16 815 thousand US dollars, with a 15-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of lettuce and chicory imports into Western Africa amounted to a sharp decline of 35.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 89.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1 104.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands led with 21.0% of imports in value terms, followed by Morocco at 17.3% and France at 14.9%. These three countries consistently held leading positions, jointly accounting for 53.2% of total import flows.

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

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