Potato market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh potatoes in Burkina Faso increased from 37 881 tons in 2018 to a peak of 47 829 tons in 2020, before declining to 41 774 tons in 2023. Domestic production, though a key component, faced significant post-harvest losses due to the high perishability of potatoes, which historically limited the ability to meet local demand. Investments in cold storage and processing, such as the 20 units built between 2016 and 2020, aimed to reduce these losses and support local output.

Heavy reliance on imports became apparent as domestic production could not satisfy consumption. In 2020, the import bill surged by 47% in value, reaching about 1.55 million euros, as a deficit of around 5 000 tons was covered mainly from European and North African suppliers. The presence of imported potatoes, which differed in quality from local produce, intensified market competition and influenced import volumes in subsequent years.

Government efforts to raise production included the promotion of new high-yield varieties like El Beida, Naima, and Universa, targeting 60 000 tons annually. However, output stagnated around 33 000 tons between 2020 and 2023. A $6 million processing project in Yaadga and the construction of a storage, processing, and commercialization plant in Ouahigouya—the country's main production basin—form part of a strategy to add value and reduce import dependency, though their full impact is yet to be realized.

Production potato in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2019, Burkina Faso's potato production reached its highest level at 37,000 tonnes, marking a substantial 27.6% increase from the previous year. However, production then declined to 32,667 tonnes in 2020, representing an 11.7% year-over-year decrease. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.1% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production volume during this timeframe was recorded in 2018 at 29,000 tonnes.

Annual dynamics of production in Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports potato from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Togo and Niger were the primary destinations for Burkina Faso's potato exports in volume terms, together accounting for 100% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Niger and Togo dominated Burkina Faso's potato exports in value terms, jointly representing 100% of total export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, t

Burkina Faso's potato imports have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 15,162 tonnes, reflecting a significant 50.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 59.6%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 16.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8,881 tonnes, which represented a 6.5% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Tunisia formed the main cluster of suppliers for Burkina Faso's potato imports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 47.2% of imports, Morocco for 28.3%, and Tunisia for 6.7%, together representing 82.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Burkina Faso's potato imports in value terms have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1,549 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 47.1% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 46.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 984 thousand US dollars, which marked a 7.1% decrease from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Morocco were the main sources of Burkina Faso's potato imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 31.7% of import value, France for 31.2%, and Morocco for 20.2%, together representing 83.1% of total import value.

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

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