Pepper market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in ECOWAS showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 91 174 t in 2018, the market volume contracted sharply by 25% to 68 119 t in 2019. A recovery began in 2020, with consistent growth lifting the market to 81 081 t in 2021 and a peak of 91 707 t in 2022, before a modest decline to 87 520 t in 2023.

This recovery phase coincided with a steady increase in domestic pepper production, which rose from 70 945 t in 2020 to 85 136 t in 2022. Concurrently, import volumes fell significantly from 13 530 t in 2018 to 6 178 t in 2023, which tempered the overall market growth during the period.

In 2024, the International Pepper Festival in Rochecorbon, France, underscored the global interest in pepper, featuring workshops, tastings, and educational events focused on the diversity and quality of Piper varieties. While not a direct market regulator for ECOWAS, such events highlight ongoing efforts to valorize and promote pepper consumption worldwide.

Production pepper in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a peak of 78 000 tonnes in 2018, representing a 2.3-fold increase. In 2020, ECOWAS produced 70 945 tonnes of pepper, marking a robust year-over-year gain of 16.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 128.0%.

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

Exports pepper from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020, while the highest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.8 times. In 2020, foreign pepper supplies from ECOWAS totaled 250 tonnes, indicating a sharp year-over-year decline of 33.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 70.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ECOWAS pepper exports reached a broad range of buyers. Australia accounted for 28.3% of exports in kind, the United States for 2.7%, and the United Kingdom for 1.7%, together contributing 32.7% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year advance, foreign pepper supplies from ECOWAS declined. In 2020, exports stood at 1 087 thousand US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year decline of 14.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 27.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 272 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ECOWAS pepper was traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—France, the United States, and the Netherlands—together represented only 14.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports pepper to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, foreign pepper supplies to ECOWAS reached 7 316 tonnes, amounting to a year-over-year decline of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 530 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 44.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 123.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Vietnam, China, and the United Arab Emirates remained the main sources for pepper imports to ECOWAS in kind. Vietnam accounted for 35.9% of imports, China for 16.6%, and the UAE for 7.8%, jointly taking 60.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported pepper volumes to ECOWAS increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, ECOWAS imported approximately 12 463 thousand US dollars of pepper, which is 16.2% higher compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 43.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 587 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 1.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 24.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, China, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest suppliers of pepper to ECOWAS in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 24.6% of imports, China for 16.6%, and the UAE for 10.8%, together forming 52.0% of total imports.

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

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