Yams market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the yam market in Côte d'Ivoire expanded steadily, with the market size growing from 7 378 thousand tonnes to 7 629 thousand tonnes. This rise was supported by the country's self-sufficiency in yams and government concerns over speculation, which led to measures to suspend exports and ensure food security, keeping more produce domestically. In 2020, a sharp price surge due to high demand and speculative reselling in regions like Madinani indicated strong consumption pressure, which likely encouraged maintained production levels.

After a minor dip in 2021, the market rebounded in 2022 to reach 7 758 thousand tonnes. While specific yearly drivers are not highlighted, the overall trend reflected the staple role of yams in Ivorian agriculture, where it remains a key income source for farmers using traditional shifting cultivation methods.

The market contracted in 2023 to 7 441 thousand tonnes. During this period, new investment projects emerged for processing yams into flour and frozen fries, aiming to add value and diversify products. Additionally, increased organization among young farmer groups pointed to ongoing structural development. By 2024, improved market availability led to notable price decreases for the prized Kponan variety, though competition from cash crops like cashew was noted as a factor influencing yam availability, and the suspension of exports of staple foods remained in place to safeguard domestic supply.

Production yams in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire ranked third globally in yam production.

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

Côte d'Ivoire's yam production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 7 655 thousand tonnes of yams, reflecting a slight 2.7% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.3%.

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

Exports yams from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

Côte d'Ivoire's yam exports rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 25 371 tonnes of yams, marking a sharp 76.1% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 124.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 31.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Côte d'Ivoire's yam exports in volume terms, accounting for 98.8% of total flows.

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

In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire exported 743.3 thousand US dollars worth of yams, representing a solid 12.7% advance compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 28.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 16.6%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Mali remained the dominant partner for Côte d'Ivoire's yam exports in value terms, holding an 88.7% share of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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 yams to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Import volumes hit a low in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 90-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's yam import volume reached 90 tonnes, corresponding to a sharp 268.0% year-over-year rise. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 40.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4 032.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Ghana dominated the country structure of yam imports in volume terms, with a share of 98.9% of total flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports varied from a low in 2017 to a high in 2020, with a 19-fold difference. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire imported 19.0 thousand US dollars worth of yams, up by 517.3% relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 44.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana remained the dominant and nearly sole destination for yam imports in value terms to Côte d'Ivoire, with a share of 98.8%.

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