Prepared or preserved pineapples market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared or preserved pineapples in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a sharp contraction from 153 thousand tons in 2018 to 85 thousand tons in 2020. This decline coincided with reduced rainfall in major producing regions like Côte d'Ivoire, which constrained water availability for irrigation and limited supply. Concurrently, the entry of new players into the pineapple value chain, signaled by investment plans in Togo aimed at doubling local production, indicated efforts to revitalize the sector.

Market volume partially recovered to 98 thousand tons by 2022 but fell again to 78 thousand tons in 2023. Persistent drought conditions in Côte d'Ivoire continued to impact yields, while rising production costs from climate effects, stricter regulatory constraints, and exchange rate fluctuations eroded profitability and further reduced output. The Protected Geographical Indication obtained for Benin's 'Pain de Sucre' pineapple in 2020 enhanced product recognition and quality, supporting the market's value which saw growth to $163.5 million in 2022 despite volume pressures.

Strategic initiatives like Togo's 2024-2028 investment plan for the pineapple sector, with a budget of $16 million, underscore long-term efforts to scale up and sustain local processing. However, immediate challenges from climatic factors and regulatory tightening shaped the market's volatile trajectory over the period.

Production prepared or preserved pineapples in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of prepared or preserved pineapples, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved pineapples, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, production of prepared or preserved pineapples in Sub-Saharan Africa increased in 2020. That year, the region produced 131.4 thousand tonnes, marking a modest gain of 1.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 37.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 14.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 129.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year decrease of 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of reduction, the production value of prepared or preserved pineapples in Sub-Saharan Africa rose in 2020. Output was valued at 197.6 million US dollars, up 15.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 32.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 12.2%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 171.8 million US dollars, with the steepest drop of 24.6% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports prepared or preserved pineapples from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of prepared or preserved pineapples from Sub-Saharan Africa grew for the second year in a row in 2020. Exports reached 57 219 tonnes, reflecting a 10.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports expanded by 33%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 37 749 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant increase at 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for prepared or preserved pineapples was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 18.5% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 12.5%, and Spain for 12.2%. Together, these three countries represented 43.2% of total export flows, with numerous other partners making up the remaining 56.8%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of prepared or preserved pineapple exports from Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Exports amounted to 86 041 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial gain of 25.4% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 44.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 47 774 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 43.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, prepared or preserved pineapples from Sub-Saharan Africa were exported to a wide range of countries. Even the top three destinations—Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom—collectively represented only 43.0% of total export value, indicating a diversified trade pattern.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved pineapples to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, imports of prepared or preserved pineapples into Sub-Saharan Africa increased in 2020. Import volume totalled 10 669 tonnes, representing a moderate uptick of 4.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.3%, averaging an annual decline of 5.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 10 211 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand dominated the import structure in kind, accounting for 43.2% of imports. China followed with 7.3%, and Indonesia with 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented 57.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of prepared or preserved pineapple imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totalled 9 741 thousand US dollars, down 3.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 24.3%, equating to an annualized decrease of 8.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Thailand was the largest supplier of prepared or preserved pineapples to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, accounting for 23.2% of imports. Indonesia contributed 4.6%, and Portugal 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 29.5% of total import value, with a broad array of smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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