Market research

Tapioca and starch substitutes market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for tapioca and starch substitutes in ECOWAS increased from 304.6 thousand tons to 331.8 thousand tons. This growth was not steady, with a noticeable contraction to 284.5 thousand tons in 2020 before a robust recovery in the following years.

In monetary terms, the market value fluctuated significantly over the same period. Starting at 197.3 million USD in 2018, it dropped the next year, then peaked at 196.2 million USD in 2021. After another dip in 2022, it reached 183.1 million USD in 2023.

Domestic production rose from 308.3 thousand tons to 325.9 thousand tons, while imports expanded markedly from 1.0 thousand tons to 14.0 thousand tons. Exports also increased, but their growth was offset by the rise in production and imports, contributing to the overall market expansion.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

ECOWAS's production of tapioca and starch substitutes declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 314.0 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 289.7 thousand tons, marking a modest decrease of 7.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 1.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.8%	1.8%	(7.8%)	(1.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tapioca and starch substitutes production in ECOWAS was 178.7 million US dollars, showing a measured increase of 9.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 199.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 24.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 18.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.4%	(18.3%)	9.6%	3.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

ECOWAS's exports of tapioca and starch substitutes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 6 240 tons, representing a solid advance of 17.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 38.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.7%	13.3%	17.0%	11.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for ECOWAS's tapioca and starch substitutes exports in volume terms were France, which accounted for 48.4% of exports, the United States with 20.1%, and Belgium with 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of exported tapioca and starch substitutes from ECOWAS reached 3 850 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep improvement of 39.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 61.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 9.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.0%	(9.1%)	39.0%	17.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Belgium continued to be the top buyers of ECOWAS's tapioca and starch substitutes in value terms. France accounted for 48.4% of export value, the United States for 18.1%, and Belgium for 9.7%. Collectively, these three markets took 76.2% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 972 tons and peaked in 2019 at 1 653 tons, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 128 tons, reflecting a sudden decline of 31.8% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when imports surged by 70.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.8%)	70.1%	(31.8%)	(0.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—China, Thailand, and India—together absorbed 82.0% of total tapioca and starch substitutes imports into ECOWAS in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes into ECOWAS declined. In 2020, imports reached 961 thousand US dollars, representing a robust drop of 19.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 192 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 47.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.8%	47.1%	(19.4%)	7.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand played the leading roles in imports in value terms, with a combined share of 87.1% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io