Market research

Taro market in Western Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 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 taro market in Western Africa experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2023, with production increasing from 9 633 thousand tonnes to 10 255 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by government policies that boosted the agricultural sector, providing indirect support to commodity markets including cocoyam from 2019 onward.

A significant production jump of nearly 400 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021, driven by research and development efforts that introduced high-yielding, pest and disease tolerant taro varieties. These initiatives, led by institutions like the CSIR Crop Research Institute in Ghana, addressed key industry challenges and revitalized local production capabilities.

Market growth continued at a modest pace in 2022 and 2023, reflecting sustained demand and the gradual adoption of improved agricultural practices. While factors such as harsh weather conditions posed challenges in some areas, the overall upward trend highlighted the region's increasing production capacity.

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 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, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 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, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 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, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 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, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 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, 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 Western Africa

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 Western Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 9,722 thousand tonnes, remaining virtually unchanged compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 5.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa 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 Western Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 24-fold difference between these years. In 2020, taro deliveries from Western Africa totaled 4,220 kg, representing a 681.6% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 74.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1,065.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa 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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Sweden formed the core of exports in kind, accounting for 34.6%, 19.4%, and 14.1% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 68.0% of total 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, $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2020, export volumes varied 822 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of taro from Western Africa reached 8,339 US dollars, up by 1,026.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 32.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10,638.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa 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

Over 2017–2020, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Belgium remained the leading destinations in the country structure of exports in value terms, with shares of 47.9%, 17.1%, and 12.4%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.5% of total flows.

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 taro to Western Africa

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Western Africa imported 877 kg of taro, showing a decrease of 24.9% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 49.9%, with a compound annual growth 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 recorded in 2019 at 38.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa 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

Throughout 2017–2020, Spain, Portugal, and Thailand formed the core group of markets for imports in kind, accounting for 42.1%, 23.4%, and 13.1% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 78.6% of total 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, $ US

After a two-year decline, Western Africa's taro import volume increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 2,508 US dollars, showing a sharp gain of 54.5% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.3%, equating to an annualized decline 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 Western Africa 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

In 2017–2020, Spain and Portugal acted as the dominant destinations for imports in value terms, jointly taking 92.9% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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