Oranges market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The orange market in Western Africa expanded from 1.0 million tonnes in 2018 to over 1.5 million tonnes by 2023. Production rose steadily, supported by overall African citrus output, though diseases like citrus greening limited yields in some major producing countries. The most notable surge occurred in 2020, when market volume jumped by 29% to 1.4 million tonnes, largely driven by heightened demand for vitamin C-rich fruits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Market size dipped to 1.2 million tonnes in 2021 as exports from the region spiked to 198 thousand tonnes, likely responding to strong global orange demand reflected in South Africa's record shipments that year. The following year, exports normalized to 75 thousand tonnes, allowing domestic consumption to rebound to 1.3 million tonnes.

By 2023, production reached a peak of 1.5 million tonnes, and imports began to rise, reaching 26 thousand tonnes in 2024, indicating growing market integration. New cold storage facilities in neighboring regions and public support for citrus cultivation in North Africa contributed to broader supply chain developments that may have facilitated trade flows within the continent.

Production oranges in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

Western Africa's orange production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 346 K t of oranges, marking a significant 29.6% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 014 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 29.4%.

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

Exports oranges from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with an 8.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, orange volumes exported from Western Africa stood at 2 408 t, showing a dramatic increase of 537.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 42.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary buyer of oranges from Western Africa, consistently accounting for 0.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.3 times. In 2020, Western Africa's orange exports were valued at 2 232 K US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 242.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 30.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany (17.9% of exports in value terms), Belarus (2.1%), and the Netherlands (1.6%) remained the key export destinations, together accounting for 21.6% of total export flows.

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 oranges to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Western Africa's orange import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 13 120 t, representing a sudden increase of 30.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 103.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for orange imports to Western Africa was quite broad. South Africa (15.9% of imports in volume terms), Morocco (10.3%), and Portugal (8.2%) together represented only 34.3% 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

In 2020, Western Africa's orange imports amounted to 10 431 K US dollars, reflecting an abrupt gain of 59.5% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 129.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 31.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa (30.7% of imports in value terms), Portugal (22.5%), and Morocco (15.7%) remained the key import partners, together accounting for 68.9% 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