Market research

Taro market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 27, 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

Taro production in the ECOWAS region demonstrated steady growth from 2018 to 2023, with market volume increasing from 9.6 million tonnes to 10.3 million tonnes. The most significant expansion occurred in 2021, when output rose by approximately 4% to exceed 10.1 million tonnes. The following years saw more modest annual gains, maintaining the upward trend.

The crop holds considerable socio-economic importance in member states such as Benin, where it is embedded in local production systems. This foundational demand contributes to the market's resilience and gradual long-term growth within the region.

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. 4.2. 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, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, $ 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 taro in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of taro, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of taro, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Taro production in ECOWAS has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 9 722 thousand tonnes of taro were produced, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.4%	0.4%	0.5%	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports taro from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Taro export volumes from ECOWAS varied significantly, with a 24-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, deliveries reached 4 220 kg, marking a substantial increase of 681.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 74.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 1 065.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 065.0%	(74.0%)	681.6%	187.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Sweden were the key destinations for taro exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 34.6% of exports, Belgium for 19.4%, and Sweden for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 68.0% 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, $ US

The market showed volatility over the observed period. Taro exports in value terms peaked in 2020 and bottomed in 2017, with an 822-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS's taro exports amounted to 8 339 US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-over-year rise of 1 026.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 32.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 10 638.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10 638.3%	(32.1%)	1 026.8%	836.6%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Belgium accounted for the largest share of taro exports in value terms. Ireland led with 47.9% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 17.1% and Belgium at 12.4%. Combined, these three countries comprised 77.5% of total export flows.

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 taro to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, taro imports into ECOWAS amounted to 877 kg, down by 24.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 49.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 840 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 52.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 38.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(52.0%)	38.9%	(24.9%)	(20.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Portugal, and Thailand were the primary sources for taro imports in kind into ECOWAS. Together, these three markets accounted for 78.6% of total import flows.

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, $ US

After a two-year decline, taro import volumes into ECOWAS increased. In 2020, ECOWAS imported a total of 2 508 US dollars worth of taro, reflecting a sharp rise of 54.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 623 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 46.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(46.7%)	(14.0%)	54.5%	(10.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period 2017–2020, Spain and Portugal concentrated the majority of taro imports in value terms into ECOWAS, while other markets played a less significant role.

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