Pepper market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in Western Africa experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After an initial market volume of 91 407 t in 2018, it contracted sharply to 68 612 t in 2019 before embarking on a sustained recovery, peaking at 93 053 t in 2022. The final year of the period saw a moderate pullback to 88 417 t in 2023. Local production followed a similar path, declining in 2019 but then growing strongly through 2022.

The market's recovery was supported by specific developments. A significant private investment to restart pepper farming in Côte d'Ivoire in 2018 provided a foundation for local cultivation. Later, global supply shocks became a key driver. Heavy rains that reduced Vietnam's pepper harvest in 2021 contributed to tighter worldwide supply and higher prices, which incentivized increased production in West Africa. This dynamic continued into 2022, where adverse climate conditions and production disruptions in major growing regions kept pepper prices elevated, further stimulating local output and contributing to market growth.

Concurrently, a distinct trend toward organic and natural pepper gained momentum, highlighted by continued engagement in organic pepper production in Côte d'Ivoire from 2022 onward. This shift in consumer preference, driven by health consciousness, began influencing farming practices and market offerings in the region, adding a qualitative dimension to the market's evolution even as volumes adjusted in 2023.

Production pepper in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.3-fold difference between the low of 2017 and the high of 2018. In 2020, Western Africa produced 70 945 tonnes of pepper, marking a solid 16.4% increase compared to 2019. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 78 000 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 128.0%.

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

Exports pepper from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports varied by 4.8-fold from the trough in 2020 to the peak in 2017. In 2020, pepper exports from Western Africa totaled 250 tonnes, representing a sharp 33.1% decline compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 70.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pepper exports from Western Africa were distributed across many countries. Australia accounted for 28.3% of exports in kind, the United States for 2.7%, and the United Kingdom for 1.7%, together making up only 32.7% of total flows.

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

After two years of growth, Western Africa's pepper export volume declined. In 2020, the region exported 1 087 thousand US dollars worth of pepper, indicating a substantial 14.5% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 27.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 272 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pepper from Western Africa was supplied to many different markets. 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 Western Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports pepper to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports varied by 2.2-fold between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, foreign pepper supplies to Western Africa reached 7 809 tonnes, reflecting a 2.8% year-on-year decrease. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 13 763 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 41.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 118.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, China, and the United Arab Emirates consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind. Vietnam accounted for 37.3% of imports, China for 16.0%, and the UAE for 8.1%, together making up 61.4% 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

Western Africa's pepper imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 12 531 thousand US dollars worth of pepper, reflecting a robust 15.8% improvement compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 43.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 626 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 1.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 25.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, China, and the United Arab Emirates formed the main group of destinations for pepper imports to Western Africa in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 24.8% of imports, China for 16.6%, and the UAE for 10.9%, together representing 52.2% of total 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