Prepared mushrooms and truffles market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared mushrooms and truffles in Eastern Africa showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It began at 2 611 t in 2018, grew to 2 743 t in 2019, then declined over the next two years to 2 455 t in 2021.

A strong recovery took place in 2022, with market volume jumping 17% to 2 882 t. However, this gain was entirely reversed in 2023, when the market contracted by 27% to 2 100 t.

While domestic production increased steadily from 420 t to 498 t over the period, fluctuations in import volumes, which ranged from 1 609 t to 2 408 t, were the main factor behind the changes in total market size.

Production prepared mushrooms and truffles in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's production of prepared mushrooms and truffles has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 451.8 tonnes, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Exports prepared mushrooms and truffles from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for prepared mushrooms and truffles from Eastern Africa experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at just 2 tonnes, but rebounded sharply in 2020 to 9 tonnes—a remarkable 338.1% increase from the previous year. The peak occurred earlier in 2017, creating an 11.8-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2018, when exports dropped by 76.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bunkers, Angola, and Nigeria were notable buyers of prepared mushrooms and truffles from Eastern Africa, accounting for 6.1%, 5.8%, and 4.2% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 16.2% of total exports, with the remaining 83.8% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of prepared mushrooms and truffles exports from Eastern Africa showed considerable volatility. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 3 000 US dollars, but surged to 21 000 US dollars in 2020—a dramatic 635.5% increase from the previous year. The peak was recorded earlier in 2017, resulting in an 11.2-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with exports falling by 82.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Angola, Nigeria, and Bunkers played important roles as buyers of prepared mushrooms and truffles from Eastern Africa in value terms, representing 12.6%, 9.6%, and 5.4% of exports, respectively. Yet, their combined share amounted to just 27.6% of total export value, indicating a diverse market with many other partners.

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

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

Imports prepared mushrooms and truffles to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles in kind saw a modest decline in 2020, totaling 2 187 tonnes—a 5.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 310 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1% that year.

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

During 2017–2020, China dominated Eastern Africa's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles in kind, accounting for 70.0% of the total. The United Arab Emirates and Portugal followed with shares of 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 81.5% of all imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 512 000 US dollars, down 10.6% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 11.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 3 004 000 US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 5.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Portugal were the main sources of prepared mushrooms and truffles imports to Eastern Africa in value terms. China led with a 62.4% share, followed by France at 8.3% and Portugal at 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 77.9% of total import value.

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

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