Pepper market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the pepper market volume in Côte d'Ivoire grew steadily from 340.4 t to 955.9 t, primarily driven by a surge in imports, which increased from 94.2 t to 791 t over the period. This expansion coincided with significant private investment, such as Jean-Eudes Kacou's revival of the family pepper plantation in Tiassalé aimed at producing organic and premium pepper. The sector's organization was further strengthened in March 2019 with the creation of the OPPSCI cooperative, uniting over 80 producers, and active promotion by the state-owned FIRCA at agricultural fairs, which helped structure the value chain and likely stimulated domestic demand for pepper.

Market growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with imports remaining the key contributor. During this phase, promotional efforts intensified, including the second edition of the SEPIC international spice exhibition in August 2022, supported by FIRCA, which raised the profile of Ivorian pepper varieties. Concurrently, the development of organic agroforestry-based pepper production in Tiassalé continued, focusing on quality and sustainability, aligning with the market's orientation toward higher-value products.

In 2023, the market volume contracted sharply to 531.9 t, a decline largely attributed to a drop in imports to 452.5 t, while domestic production remained stable at around 246.5 t.

Production pepper in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, pepper production in Côte d'Ivoire rebounded in 2020. The country produced 247.3 t of pepper that year, marking a 1.8% increase from 2019. Production had reached its lowest point in 2019 at 243.0 t, which represented a 2.4% decrease from the previous year.

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

Exports pepper from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

The export market for pepper from Côte d'Ivoire showed significant volatility during this period. In 2020, exports totaled 61.7 t, a substantial 66.7% increase compared to 2019. However, exports had been at their lowest in 2018 at just 2.8 t, which was an 82.0% decline from the previous year. The most dramatic change occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 1 241.2%. Overall, export volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a 22-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, France, and Ghana were the primary destinations for Côte d'Ivoire's pepper exports by volume. Morocco accounted for 31.9% of exports, France for 21.7%, and Ghana for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 64.4% of total pepper exports from Côte d'Ivoire during this period.

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

The value of pepper exports from Côte d'Ivoire exhibited irregular and volatile patterns. In 2020, exports were valued at 205.0 K $ US, reflecting a significant 22.5% decline from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 264.7 K $ US, while the lowest was in 2018 at just 3.0 K $ US. This represents an 88-fold difference between the peak and trough. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2018, with an 86.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, when export value surged by 8 720.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Morocco, and the United States were the leading buyers of Côte d'Ivoire's pepper by value. France accounted for 50.1% of export value, Morocco for 29.3%, and the United States for 6.4%. Collectively, these three markets made up 85.8% of total pepper export value from Côte d'Ivoire.

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 pepper to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Pepper imports into Côte d'Ivoire grew for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 316.4 t of pepper that year, a remarkable 99.5% increase from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 279.6%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana, Mali, and Vietnam were the main sources of pepper imports into Côte d'Ivoire by volume. Ghana supplied 29.6% of imports, Mali 24.8%, and Vietnam 22.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.9% of total pepper imports during this timeframe.

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

The value of pepper imports into Côte d'Ivoire continued to rise for the third year in a row in 2020. Imports reached 361.0 K $ US that year, showing a controlled 8.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 161.9%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 37.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam, Ghana, and Spain were the primary sources of pepper imports into Côte d'Ivoire by value. Vietnam accounted for 35.5% of import value, Ghana for 14.5%, and Spain for 12.8%. In total, these three countries represented 62.8% of the value of all pepper imports.

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