Tomato market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the tomato market in Côte d'Ivoire grew substantially, with total volume increasing from 47 thousand tons to 75 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by a 31% rise in local fresh tomato production over the five years leading up to 2018, as more community organizations and youth turned to tomato cultivation. At the same time, imports surged from 3 thousand tons to 22 thousand tons by 2023, indicating strong domestic demand that local output could not fully meet.

Weather variability and traditional farming methods kept average yields around 10 tons per hectare, constraining production growth and reinforcing reliance on imports. By 2021, rising import prices reflected mounting supply pressures, while the country's role as a major tomato importer in West Africa highlighted the significance of regional trade flows. In 2022, the market remained well-supplied, with some price decreases for fresh tomatoes reported by the National Council for the Fight against High Cost of Living.

Local production initiatives continued to develop, notably in Ouindié (Biankouma), where a project aimed to produce and market over 100 tons of fresh tomatoes annually by 2024. The engagement of out-of-school youth in tomato farming provided additional labor and helped sustain the sector's dynamism, contributing to gradual output increases.

Production tomato in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Côte d'Ivoire has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 47 283 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a 4.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tomato from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 40-fold difference between these years. In 2020, tomato shipments from Côte d'Ivoire to abroad totaled 1 tonne, representing a 74.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 48 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 90.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, surging by 1 784.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Liberia remained the top buyers of tomatoes from Côte d'Ivoire, accounting for 46.9%, 3.6%, and 1.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 51.9% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatile behavior during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.7-fold gap between these periods. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's tomato exports amounted to 3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 51.4% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 104.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for tomato exports in value terms were Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Niger, collectively accounting for 23.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports tomato to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, tomato deliveries to Côte d'Ivoire amounted to 12 125 tonnes, indicating a 100.6% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 173 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 33.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso was the primary source for tomato imports to Côte d'Ivoire, accounting for 87.0% of total imports in kind, while other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Tomato imports to Côte d'Ivoire have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 031 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a significant 52.7% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 76.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 20.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 447 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 23.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso, France, and Morocco consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms, accounting for 49.9%, 12.8%, and 11.0% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 73.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020