Tea market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in Mali expanded significantly from 2018 to 2021, with its volume rising from 17 409 т to 22 661 т. This growth was propelled by a substantial increase in imports, which reached 22 945 т in 2021, far exceeding stable domestic production of around 90 т per year.

Market volume contracted sharply from 2022, falling to 13 410 т in 2023. This downturn was driven by a steep decline in imports, linked to the ECOWAS and UEMOA trade embargo imposed on Mali, which restricted foreign trade access. The trend continued into 2024, with tea imports dropping further to 10 127 т.

Production tea in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Mali's tea production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production fell to 88 460 kg, marking a 4.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 3.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 93 040 kg, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mali in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports tea from Mali

Exports in kind, t

Mali's tea export volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 361 tons, showing a significant year-over-year decrease of 14.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports plummeted by 82.2%, with an average annual decline of 43.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso was the dominant destination for Mali's tea exports in volume terms, accounting for 74.4% of total flows. Other countries each held substantially smaller shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 143 thousand US dollars, then rebounded in 2019 with the largest increase of 143.5%. In 2020, tea exports from Mali totaled 215 thousand US dollars, representing a 38.3% decrease from the previous year. The overall change from the 2017 peak to the 2018 trough was a 2.7-fold difference.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (39.2% of export value), Burkina Faso (22.2%), and Russia (14.1%) emerged as the primary markets for Mali's tea exports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 75.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Mali

Imports in kind, t

Mali's tea imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 21 936 tons, showing a 9.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 26.5%, with an average annual increase of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Mali's tea imports in volume terms, accounting for 94.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mali's tea import values rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 42 488 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 26.8%, with an average annual increase of 8.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China remained the nearly exclusive supplier of tea to Mali in value terms, accounting for 93.7% of total imports.

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

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