Market research

Yams market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

The yam market in ECOWAS grew from 74 807 thousand tons in 2018 to 85 443 thousand tons in 2023. Following a slight stabilization in 2019, market volume entered a period of consistent expansion.

This growth was supported by a reported increase in regional yam production. The introduction of new, higher-yielding yam varieties, such as UMUDa35-Delight and UMUDr33-Blessing by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and its partners in 2023, provided direct support to farmers aimed at boosting output.

Further market development is encouraged by cultural and promotional initiatives like the launch of the World Iyan Carnival in September 2024, which seeks to celebrate the crop's heritage and promote its export.

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 ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin 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, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin 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, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin 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, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 yams in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, ECOWAS produced 77 600 K t of yams, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 8.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.6%	(1.4%)	5.2%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports yams from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

ECOWAS's yam exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 39 566 t, representing a 42.4% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 145.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 34.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.9%	67.5%	42.4%	34.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, yam exports from ECOWAS were distributed across numerous countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 20.2% of exports, the United States for 18.4%, and South Africa for 3.1%, together making up 41.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Yam export volumes from ECOWAS have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 39 945 K $ US, a 196.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 386.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 69.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.0%	41.5%	196.3%	69.4%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, the three largest markets for ECOWAS's yam exports in value terms were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which together accounted for 76.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports yams to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes hit a low in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 536 times. In 2020, yam imports into ECOWAS reached 922 t, up 66.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 221 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 54.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 53 498.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	53 498.3%	(54.6%)	66.2%	639.6%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values reached a trough in 2019 and a peak in 2018, showing a 2.8-fold variation. In 2020, foreign yam supplies to ECOWAS were valued at 1 079 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 79.0% year-over-year rise. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 603 K $ US, and the maximum in 2018 at 1 676 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 64.0%.

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