Agriculture is the heart and soul of many African countries, employing a large proportion of the people and driving economic progress. As global demand for food and agricultural products grows, African countries have entered international markets by exporting coffee, tea, cocoa, fruits, vegetables, and cotton.
The 2024 Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM), developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and AKADEMIYA2063, analyzes trade patterns and exports across the continent.
Despite global economic difficulties, Africa’s agricultural commerce has increased significantly. Between 2018 and 2022, Africa experienced the third-fastest rise in agricultural exports, after only the Americas and Asia.
During the same era, the continent experienced the second-fastest increase in agricultural imports, trailing only Asia. Africa is a major exporter of essential commodities such as cotton, cocoa, coffee, tea, and tobacco. Cereals, sugar, sugar confectionery, and fats and oils are among the most commonly imported items.
Except for China, the majority of Africa’s agricultural exports are distributed across the continent, with no single country accounting for more than 25% of the total.
China dominates Africa’s oilseed and oleaginous fruit exports, accounting for 37%. This demonstrates that Africa’s agricultural exports are very diverse. At least 11 and up to 21 nations outside Africa get at least 1% of the continent’s exports in a variety of areas.
The following are the leading global importers of African agricultural products:
