Yams market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The yams market volume in Western Africa increased from 74 810 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 85 446 thousand tonnes in 2023, despite a minor contraction in 2019. A key infrastructural development was the commissioning of a large cold storage facility in Côte d'Ivoire in 2019, which enhanced the cold chain for preserving and distributing fresh yams, laying groundwork for improved market access in subsequent years.

Market growth accelerated notably from 2020 onward. In 2023, food crop production in Côte d'Ivoire, including yams, rose by 10%, reaching annual harvests around 8 million tonnes. This surge was supported by government agricultural policies and coincided with ongoing expansions in cold storage logistics across the region.

West Africa remains the global center for yam production, with Nigeria consistently accounting for about 71% of the region's output. This concentrated production base provides inherent stability to the overall market supply.

Production yams in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

In Western Africa, yam production reached 77 603 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019, at 1.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with an 8.6% rise.

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

Exports yams from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Yam exports from Western Africa have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 39 566 tonnes, showing a substantial year-over-year increase of 42.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 145.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for yams in kind was quite diverse. The United Kingdom accounted for 20.2% of exports, the United States for 18.4%, and South Africa for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 41.7% of total export flows, while the remaining 58.3% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

Foreign yam supplies from Western Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Western Africa exported yams worth 39 945 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic increase of 196.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 386.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 69.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada consistently served as the primary destinations for yam exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 37.1% of export value, the United Kingdom for 33.3%, and Canada for 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 76.4% 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 yams to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market for yams in kind showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 536 times. In 2020, Western Africa imported 922 tonnes of yams, which was a 66.2% increase from the previous year. The maximum import volume was 1 221 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline in imports happened in 2019, at 54.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a staggering rise of 53 498.3%.

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

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

Import data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019, while the highest was in 2018, reflecting a 2.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, yam imports into Western Africa amounted to 1 079 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 79.0%. The minimum import value was 603 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the maximum was 1 676 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline in import value occurred in 2019, at 64.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal remained the key partner for yam imports in value terms to Western Africa, accounting for 0.9% of total import 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