Tomato market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The West African tomato market expanded consistently from 5.2 million tonnes in 2018 to 6.9 million tonnes in 2023. This growth was initially fueled by a rapid 11% increase in harvested area across Africa in 2018, which boosted local production. Simultaneously, significant investments in processing capacity, such as the Karry Foods plant in Egypt with a daily intake of 600 tonnes, began to add value and stimulate demand for both fresh and processed tomatoes.

Growth continued through 2023, supported by industrial acceleration in Burkina Faso aimed at processing local output and the development of new product segments like packaged tomato paste tailored for the Nigerian market. These factors helped sustain rising consumption and production, with market volume increasing by over 1.7 million tonnes across the five-year period despite emerging climatic risks that introduced variability into production cycles.

In 2024, the market's underlying trajectory was reinforced by ongoing investments in processing infrastructure, including Karry Foods' planned second production line and new tomato paste factories in Nigeria. Additionally, Burkina Faso's announcement to suspend fresh tomato exports from 2026 signaled a regional policy shift towards securing domestic supply and further promoting local value addition through processing.

Production tomato in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Western Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 862 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a 5.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

Exports tomato from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2019, tomato exports from Western Africa hit their lowest point at 8 383 tonnes, while in 2018, they peaked at 25 370 tonnes, representing a threefold difference. In 2020, exports reached 8 558 tonnes, a slight uptick of 2.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 67.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 74.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for tomato exports in kind remained fragmented. The Netherlands accounted for 27.1% of exports, France for 8.5%, and Belarus for 8.5%, with these three countries together making up only 44.1% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, tomato export value from Western Africa was at its lowest, at 10 249 thousand US dollars, while in 2018, it reached its highest point at 30 121 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.9-fold gap. In 2020, export value rose to 16 084 thousand US dollars, up by 56.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 66.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 80.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands led the structure of tomato exports in value terms with 36.6%, followed by France at 11.2% and Belarus at 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 58.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Tomato imports into Western Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 2 930 tonnes of tomatoes, a significant rise of 52.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 132.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 32.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the main source for tomato imports in kind to Western Africa, accounting for 4.9%, followed by Spain at 1.7% and Portugal at 1.0%. Together, these three countries made up just 7.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, tomato imports into Western Africa amounted to 3 115 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong year-on-year rise of 19.1%. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 616 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 15.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, tomato imports in value terms to Western Africa relied on a wide range of partner countries. Morocco accounted for 12.6% of imports, Spain for 8.8%, and Portugal for 7.1%, with these three together taking just 28.6% of total flows.

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

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