Melon seeds market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Production of melon seeds in Western Africa remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2023, fluctuating around 630 thousand tonnes. The entry of new players into the agricultural seed market, including melon seeds, coupled with rising global food demand, provided a supportive backdrop for sustained output. After a peak of 640 thousand tonnes in 2020, volumes experienced modest adjustments but stayed within a narrow range, finishing at 631 thousand tonnes in 2023.

By 2024, regional dynamics gained prominence, particularly with regulatory developments in Burkina Faso such as laws on plastic packaging and the establishment of state-owned agricultural enterprises. Nigeria's dominant position, accounting for approximately 60% of Africa's vegetable seed market, continued to influence the regional structure for melon seeds. Concurrently, national initiatives in Burkina Faso promoting seed sovereignty and agroecology aimed to strengthen local production systems.

Production melon seeds in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melon seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of melon seeds, 2017-2020

In Western Africa, melon seed production reached 640.1 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 4.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 612.1 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 3.0% during this timeframe.

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

Exports melon seeds from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for melon seeds from Western Africa exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 12.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totalled 154.0 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 219.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.4%, while the most substantial growth was recorded in 2018 with a 305.7% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and Germany formed the core group of trading partners for melon seed exports from Western Africa. The United States accounted for 59.8% of exports in volume, followed by Canada at 17.7% and Germany at 15.0%. Together, these three markets represented 92.5% 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

Western Africa's melon seed exports in value terms have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 424 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 121.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value surged by 1 164.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 133.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States maintained its position as the dominant partner for melon seed exports from Western Africa in value terms, accounting for 73.1% of total flows. Other markets collectively formed a long tail of smaller trading partners.

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 melon seeds to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Western Africa's melon seed imports in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 53.7 tonnes, showing a slight gain of 0.7% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import volume decreased by 24.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 8.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 32.8 tonnes, which also represented the largest decline of 53.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 62.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, France, and the United States were the primary contributors to melon seed imports into Western Africa in volume terms. Vietnam accounted for 20.5% of imports, followed closely by France at 20.4% and the United States at 18.8%. Together, these three countries represented 59.6% 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

Following a two-year decline, Western Africa's melon seed imports in value terms showed renewed growth. In 2020, imports reached 1 143 thousand US dollars, increasing by 30.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 143 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France, Spain, and the United States together accounted for 73.7% of melon seed imports into Western Africa in value terms. France led with 37.1% of imports, followed by Spain at 21.1% and the United States at 15.5%. These three countries remained the main sources of melon seed imports for Western Africa throughout this timeframe.

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

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