Market research

Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Western Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Western Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

The launch of West Africa's first commodities exchange, the Ghana Commodity Exchange, in 2018 facilitated agricultural trade and supported a gradual increase in the physical volume of the tapioca and starch substitutes market. While the market volume saw a slight rise to 310.5 thousand tonnes in 2019, it contracted to 284.7 thousand tonnes in 2020, a period where the market value in monetary terms showed an opposing trend.

From 2021 onward, government-led initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture and agribusiness in Ghana, including direct support for farmers and processors, helped drive a recovery in production. This was further reinforced in 2022 by improved fertilizer supply chain dynamics, which supported crop yields. Regional policy coordination under ECOWAS agricultural projects from 2023 provided a stable framework, contributing to consistent market volume growth, which reached 332.1 thousand tonnes by 2023.

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 Western Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Western Africa

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

After two years of growth, tapioca and starch substitutes production in Western Africa declined. In 2020, the region produced 289.7 K t, marking a 7.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 314.0 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa 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 output value of tapioca and starch substitutes in Western Africa was 178.7 M $ US, showing a 9.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 11.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 199.5 M $ US. The largest annual decline happened in 2019 with an 18.3% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa 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 Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Tapioca and starch substitutes exports from Western Africa grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 6 240 t, reflecting a significant 17.0% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 38.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa 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, France, the United States, and Belgium were the primary markets for exports in kind, accounting for 48.4%, 20.1%, and 8.0% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 76.4% of all export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Western Africa exported 3 850 K $ US worth of tapioca and starch substitutes, representing a sharp 39.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 61.7%, averaging an annual rate of 17.4%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa 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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the United States, and Belgium remained the top destinations for exports in value terms, contributing 48.4%, 18.1%, and 9.7% of the total, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 76.2% of all export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Africa imported 1 780 t of tapioca and starch substitutes, showing a steep 30.2% decline from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.4%, with an average annual growth of 1.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 1 048 t, while the peak was in 2019 at 1 780 t. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 69.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.1%)	69.8%	(30.2%)	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, China, Thailand, and Vietnam were the main sources for imports in kind, representing 39.2%, 37.0%, and 6.8% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.0% of all import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes in Western Africa declined. In 2020, the region imported 1 210 K $ US worth, equivalent to a 19.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 23.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 210 K $ US, with the largest annual increase also in 2019 at 48.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.0%	48.4%	(19.9%)	7.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand dominated the import market in value terms, jointly accounting for 86.9% of total flows. Other countries made up the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io