Global worth of crops from Africa

Kilimokwanza.org’s analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the economic value of African crops, encompassing both cash and major food crops. It evaluates market value, production volume, export value, historical price trends, current demand, and future projections, identifying the most profitable crops in Africa in recent years and currently.

Cash Crops

The following table summarizes the global market value of the cash crops listed in the request:

Cash Crop	Global Market Value (USD Billion)
Coffee	127 – 223.78 1
Cocoa	48.3 – 912 3
Cotton	40.67 – 45.15 5
Tea	17.42 – 75.93 7
Tobacco	880 – 941 9
Palm Oil	63.65 – 73.85 11
Sugarcane	60.75 – 221.4 13
Groundnuts (Peanuts)	90.05 – 92.77 15
Cashews	7.7 – 10.5 17
Rubber	46.95 19
Flowers	14.5 20
Grapes (for wine)	14.5 20
Avocados	13 20

It is important to note that the market values presented in the table above are estimates from different sources and may vary based on the methodology and data used. The market values for Sugar beet, Jatropha, Sesame, Coconuts, Olives, and Vanilla were not found in the provided materials.

Production Volume in Africa

The production volume of each cash crop in Africa is crucial in determining its contribution to the global market and its overall profitability. The following table summarizes the production volume of the cash crops in Africa:

Cash Crop	Production Volume in Africa
Coffee	1.2 million tonnes 21
Cocoa	2.1 million tonnes 22
Cotton	4,715,291 metric tons 23
Tea	795,600 metric tonnes 24
Tobacco	722,187 tonnes 25
Palm Oil	1.4 million metric tons 26
Sugarcane	17.3 million tons 27
Groundnuts (Peanuts)	54.39 thousand metric tons 28
Cashews	2.4 million metric tonnes 29
Rubber	1.1 million tons 30

Coffee

The two most commercially important species of coffee are Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta). In 2019, about 56% of global coffee production was Arabica²¹. Arabica coffee beans are known to have a smoother, less bitter taste than Robusta²¹. Robusta beans contain a higher caffeine content (2.7%) compared to Arabica beans (1.5%)²¹.

Africa accounts for almost 52% of global organic land for coffee production²¹. This highlights the importance of Africa in the organic coffee market.

Cocoa

West Africa dominates cocoa production, accounting for 70% of the world’s cocoa³¹. This emphasizes the importance of West Africa in the global cocoa market.

In recent years, cocoa production in Ghana has been affected by an outbreak of swollen shoot disease³¹. This highlights the challenges faced by cocoa farmers.

Cotton

Benin is Africa’s leading cotton producer³². This highlights Benin’s significant contribution to cotton production in Africa.

Most certified organic cotton (about 85%) is not traded as such because of a lack of markets³³. This highlights a challenge in the organic cotton market in Africa.

Tea

In China and India, domestic consumers drink most of their teas themselves, while African tea-producing countries manufacture their teas primarily as an export revenue crop²⁴. This explains the significant contribution of African tea to global tea exports.

Tobacco

Tobacco production in South Africa has been declining in recent years. This decline is possibly related to less consumption due to increases in the excise tax, as part of the government’s tobacco control policy³⁴.

Palm Oil

The palm oil industry in Congo (Kinshasa) has faced challenges due to political instability and a lack of infrastructure²⁶. This highlights the challenges faced by palm oil producers in certain African countries.

Rubber

Africa holds a 7.4% share of the 13.86 million tons of global natural rubber production³⁰. This provides a clear picture of Africa’s contribution to the global rubber market.

Export Value from Africa

The export value of each cash crop from Africa provides insights into its economic significance and contribution to foreign exchange earnings. The following table summarizes the export value of the cash crops from Africa:

Cash Crop	Export Value from Africa (USD)
Coffee	3.6 billion 35
Cocoa	4.29 billion 36
Cotton	15.5 billion 37
Tea	1.22 billion 38
Tobacco	1.79 billion 39
Palm Oil	68.9 million 40
Sugarcane	5.1 billion 41
Groundnuts (Peanuts)	285 million 42
Cashews	4 billion 29
Rubber	2.1 billion 43

Coffee

Ethiopia earned a record $1.43 billion from coffee exports in the 2023/24 fiscal year⁴⁴. This emphasizes the growing importance of coffee exports for Ethiopia’s economy.

Cashews

Ivory Coast dominates cashew production in Africa, accounting for over 40% of the continent’s total output²⁹. This emphasizes Ivory Coast’s role in the African cashew market.

Historical Price Trends

Analyzing historical price trends helps understand the past profitability and price volatility of each cash crop. The following tables summarize the historical price trends for the cash crops:

Coffee ⁴⁵

Year	Average Closing Price (USD per pound)
2011	2.53
2012	1.75
2013	1.26
2014	1.78
2015	1.33
2016	1.37
2017	1.33
2018	1.14
2019	1.02
2020	1.11
2021	1.69
2022	2.14
2023	1.70
2024	2.35
2025	3.21

Cocoa ⁴⁶

Date	Price (USD per kilogram)
December 31, 2024	10.32
November 30, 2024	7.895
October 31, 2024	6.657
September 30, 2024	6.524
…source

Cotton ⁴⁷

Year	Average Closing Price (USD per pound)
2011	1.36
2012	0.80
2013	0.84
2014	0.76
2015	0.63
2016	0.66
2017	0.73
2018	0.82
2019	0.67
2020	0.64
2021	0.93
2022	1.13
2023	0.83
2024	0.77
2025	0.68

Tea ⁴⁸

Date	Price (USD per kilogram)
December 31, 2024	0.0296
November 30, 2024	0.0309

Palm Oil ⁴⁹

Date	Price (MYR/MT)
March 2022	7268
January 13, 2025	4484

Rubber ⁵¹

Month	Price (USD per kilogram)
December 1999	0.65
January 2000	0.64
February 2000	0.74
March 2000	0.68

Historical price trend data for Flowers, Sugar beet, Jatropha, Sesame, Coconuts, Olives, Grapes, Vanilla, Avocado, and Mangoes was not found in the provided materials.

Current Market Demand and Future Projections

Understanding current market demand and future projections is crucial for assessing the long-term profitability of cash crops. Here’s a summary of the current market demand and future projections for the cash crops:

Coffee ⁵²

The global coffee market is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing demand in emerging markets and the popularity of specialty coffee. The market is projected to reach $174.25 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.72%.

Cocoa ⁴

The global cocoa market is also expected to grow, driven by the increasing demand for chocolate and other cocoa-based products. The market is projected to reach $79 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5%.

Cotton ⁶

The global cotton market is expected to grow at a moderate pace, with increasing demand from the textile industry. The market is projected to reach $51.58 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.7%.

Tea ⁵³

The global tea market is expected to grow steadily, driven by increasing health awareness and the popularity of specialty teas. The market is projected to reach $104.21 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%.

Palm Oil ¹²

The global palm oil market is expected to continue growing, driven by demand from the food, biofuel, and personal care industries. The market is projected to reach $115.56 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.1%.

Rubber ⁵⁴

The global natural rubber market is expected to grow steadily, driven by increasing demand from the automotive and tire industries. The market is projected to reach $30.9 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%.

Current market demand and future projection data for Flowers, Sugar beet, Jatropha, Sesame, Coconuts, Olives, Grapes, Vanilla, Avocado, and Mangoes was not found in the provided materials.

Major Food Crops

Production Volume in Africa

The production volume of major food crops in Africa is crucial in determining their contribution to the global market and their overall profitability. The following table summarizes the production volume of the major food crops in Africa:

Major Food Crop	Production Volume in Africa
Maize (Corn)	81.9M tonnes 55
Rice	38.8M tonnes 56
Wheat	26.9M tonnes 55
Cassava	192.1M tonnes 55
Yams	72.4M tonnes 55
Sorghum	28.6M tonnes 55
Millet	Not available
Bananas and Plantains	Not available
Potatoes (including specific varieties like round potatoes where applicable)	Not available
Beans	Not available
Peas	Not available
Sweet Potatoes	27.9M tonnes 55
Soybeans	Not available
Lentils	Not available
Cowpeas	Not available

Export Value from Africa

The export value of each major food crop from Africa provides insights into its economic significance and contribution to foreign exchange earnings. The following table summarizes the export value of the major food crops from Africa:

Major Food Crop	Export Value from Africa (USD)
Maize (Corn)	Not available
Rice	Not available
Wheat	Not available
Cassava	Not available
Yams	Not available
Sorghum	Not available
Millet	Not available
Bananas and Plantains	Not available
Potatoes (including specific varieties like round potatoes where applicable)	Not available
Beans	Not available
Peas	Not available
Sweet Potatoes	Not available
Soybeans	Not available
Lentils	Not available
Cowpeas	Not available

Most Profitable Food Crops in Africa

Based on the available information, the most profitable food crops in Africa currently are:

• Cassava: Cassava is Africa’s most produced cash crop, with a yearly production of nearly 200 million tonnes, accounting for 63% of the global total⁵⁶. It is a staple food across West Africa and feeds 800 million people worldwide⁵⁶. Cassava’s high yield potential, low production costs, and versatility in both food and industrial applications make it a highly profitable crop⁵⁷.
• Maize: Maize is a versatile crop that can be grown in different soil and climate conditions, making it a suitable option for many parts of Africa⁵⁷. It is a staple food in many African countries and has a high yield potential, making it an attractive option for farmers⁵⁷.
• Yams: Yam production in Africa accounts for 97% of the global total, with West Africa known as the “yam belt.” ⁵⁶ Yam cultivation is an important component of the region’s economic vitality, with over 60 million people involved in its production⁵⁶.

Round Potato Varieties

• Red Potatoes: These small to medium, round potatoes have a smooth, thin red skin and white flesh. They have a waxy, moist texture and are subtly sweet in flavor⁵⁸. Major varieties include Chieftain, Norland, Red La Soda, Pontiac, and Ruby⁵⁸. Red Pontiac is a popular variety of red potato⁵⁹.
• White Potatoes: These small to medium potatoes have a round to long shape with white or tan skin and white flesh. They are medium-starch potatoes with a slightly creamy, dense texture and thin skin⁵⁸. Major varieties include White Rose, Cascade, Superior, Kennebec, and Cobbler⁵⁸.
• Yellow Potatoes: These potatoes have a smooth, buttery texture and a subtle, sweet, mild flavor⁶⁰. They are delicious baked, mashed, grilled, or roasted⁶⁰. Varieties include Alegria, Monalia, Miranda, Casablanca, Premiere, Rosabelle, and Yukon Gold⁶⁰. Yukon Gold is a popular variety of yellow potato⁵⁹.

Fingerling potatoes are another popular variety of potato. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, all with finger-shaped ends⁶¹.

South Africa is the only major exporter of oranges in Africa, dominating 17% of the global fresh and dried oranges trade⁶². Macadamia is another potentially profitable non-fruit commodity in Africa⁶².

Synthesis and Conclusion

This report has provided an extensive analysis of the global worth of various crops from Africa. Based on the available information, the most profitable cash crops in Africa currently appear to be coffee, cocoa, and cotton. These crops have high global market values, significant production volumes in Africa, and substantial export values. The most profitable food crops are cassava, maize, and yams, primarily due to their high production volumes and importance as staple foods in Africa.

The report also highlighted the historical price trends and future projections for key cash crops, providing valuable insights for investors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Notably, coffee and cocoa prices have shown volatility in recent years, while cotton prices have generally declined. The markets for coffee, cocoa, tea, and palm oil are all expected to experience continued growth in the coming years.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of this analysis. The report could not include information on all requested crops due to limitations in the provided materials. Specifically, data on the market value, production volume, export value, historical price trends, and future projections for several cash crops (Sugar beet, Jatropha, Sesame, Coconuts, Olives, and Vanilla) and most major food crops was limited. This missing information would be valuable for a more comprehensive understanding of the African agricultural landscape and its potential for economic growth.

Further research is recommended to gather more comprehensive data on all crops listed in the request. This would enable a more accurate assessment of their profitability and contribution to the African agricultural landscape. Additionally, investigating the impact of factors such as climate change, government policies, and technological advancements on crop production and profitability would provide valuable insights for stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Works cited

1. www.coherentmarketinsights.com, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/coffee-market-5615#:~:text=The%20global%20coffee%20market%20size,4.72%25%20from%202023%20to%202030.

2. Coffee Market Size, Share & Growth | Industry Report, 2030, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/coffee-market

3. Global Tobacco: Emerging Trends and Risks Posed to Investors – ISS Insights, accessed January 13, 2025, https://insights.issgovernance.com/posts/global-tobacco-emerging-trends-and-risks-posed-to-investors/

4. Cocoa Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis by 2032 – Fact.MR, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.factmr.com/report/44/cocoa-market

5. Cotton Market Size, Share, Trends & Analysis Report, 2032, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/cotton-market

6. Cotton Market Report | Industry Analysis, Size & Forecast – Mordor Intelligence, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cotton-market

7. Tea Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast (2024-2030), accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/global-tea-market/19202/

8. Tea Market Size, Share & Trends | Industry Report, 2030 – Grand View Research, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/tea-market

9. Tobacco Market Size, Price, Trends 2032 | The Brainy Insights, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/tobacco-market-13557

10. Tobacco Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2030, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/tobacco-market/198845/

11. Palm Oil Market Size Report, 2022 – 2030, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/palm-oil-market

12. Palm Oil Market Size to Exceed US$115.56 billion by 2033 – Straits Research, accessed January 13, 2025, https://straitsresearch.com/report/palm-oil-market

13. Cane Sugar Market Size & Share, Growth Forecasts 2037 – Research Nester, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.researchnester.com/reports/global-and-asia-pacific-cane-sugar-market/3489

14. Global Sugar Cane Market Share, Size and Industry Growth Analysis 2022 – IndustryARC, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.industryarc.com/Research/Global-Sugar-Cane-Market-Research-513420

15. Peanuts Market Scope, Share, Trends and Size Value Forecast By 2032, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/peanuts-market-3031

16. Peanuts Market Report | Industry Analysis, Size & Forecast, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/peanuts-market

17. Cashew Market | Size, Share, Growth | 2024 – 2030, accessed January 13, 2025, https://virtuemarketresearch.com/report/cashew-market

18. Cashew Market Size, Share, Price, Forecast Report 2025-33 – IMARC Group, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.imarcgroup.com/cashew-market

19. www.grandviewresearch.com, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/rubber-market-report#:~:text=How%20big%20is%20the%20rubber,the%20rubber%20market%20market%20growth%3F

20. Tea Market Size, Share, Growth, Industry Report, Forecast, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/tea-market-2155

21. Boosting Organic Trade in Africa – GIZ, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/Market-Brief_Coffee_WEB.pdf

22. Industry Report: West Africa Cocoa Landscape, accessed January 13, 2025, https://westafricatradehub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Industry-Report-West-Africa-Cocoa-Landscape_Trade-Hub.pdf

23. Cotton Processing in Africa Market – Industry Analysis & Forecast – Mordor Intelligence, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/africa-cotton-market

24. Africa’s contribution to global tea production escalates – Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.teaandcoffee.net/feature/29834/africas-contribution-to-global-tea-production-escalates/

25. Tobacco Production and Trade in Africa – World Health Organization (WHO), accessed January 13, 2025, https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1332165/retrieve

26. Top 10 African countries producing Palm Oil, accessed January 13, 2025, https://ukragroconsult.com/en/news/top-10-african-countries-producing-palm-oil/

27. a profile of the south african sugar market value chain – FAO Knowledge Repository, accessed January 13, 2025, https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3c7d80e3-eb59-431c-a3ea-38ff945e00e0/content

28. Groundnuts production in South Africa 2019/2020, by province – Statista, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1136594/groundnuts-production-in-south-africa-by-province/

29. Cashew production, processing, export and market trends in Africa, accessed January 13, 2025, https://researchdesk.consulting/cashew-production-processing-export-and-market-trends-in-africa/

30. Production of natural rubber in Africa | Download Table – ResearchGate, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Production-of-natural-rubber-in-Africa_tbl2_268198297

31. African Cocoa Production Market Analysis – Researchtec Global, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.researchtecglobal.com/report/african-cocoa-production-market-analysis

32. Benin: Africa’s leading cotton producer – UMOA-Titres, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.umoatitres.org/en/benin-africas-leading-cotton-producer/

33. Organic cotton production and trade in sub trade in sub-Saharan Africa – International Cotton Advisory Committee, accessed January 13, 2025, https://icac.org/Content/EventDocuments/PdfFiles22ca3e07_bf2d_4184_be64_44da283d287c/Organic%20cotton%20production%20and%20trade%20in%20sub-Saharan%20Africa.pdf

34. Production of tobacco in South Africa 2000-2018 – Statista, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1143263/production-of-tobacco-in-south-africa/

35. African coffee-producing countries urged to add value to coffee export – Xinhua, accessed January 13, 2025, https://english.news.cn/20240212/3c3457ead085425c8e1db1e5d49edde7/c.html

36. Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted exports by country |2021, accessed January 13, 2025, https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/ALL/year/2021/tradeflow/Exports/partner/WLD/product/180100

37. Unlocking the hidden value of cotton by-products in African least developed countries, accessed January 13, 2025, https://unctad.org/news/unlocking-hidden-value-cotton-products-african-least-developed-countries

38. Kenya’s tea export earnings surging to record high in 2023 – Xinhua, accessed January 13, 2025, https://english.news.cn/africa/20240301/0ffe71c617844ab49114371b6194a66b/c.html

39. Tobacco Control and Tobacco Farming in African Countries – PMC, accessed January 13, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4412848/

40. Palm Oil in Ghana | The Observatory of Economic Complexity, accessed January 13, 2025, https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/palm-oil/reporter/gha

41. a profile of the south african sugar market value chain 2017 – Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural development, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.dalrrd.gov.za/images/Branches/Economica%20Development%20Trade%20and%20Marketing/marketing/annual-publications/industrial-crops/sugar-market-value-chain-profile-2017.pdf

42. Senegal: Booming groundnuts export to China poses long-term risks, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/mta-spotlight-27-senegal-boomender-export-von-erdnuessen-nach-china-1

43. Ivory Coast: natural rubber exports value 2023 | Statista, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1184198/natural-rubber-exports-value-from-ivory-coast/

44. Ethiopia Earned Record Revenues from Coffee Exports in 2023/24 – Africa.com, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.africa.com/ethiopia-earned-record-revenues-from-coffee-exports-in-2023-24/

45. Coffee Prices – 45 Year Historical Chart | MacroTrends, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.macrotrends.net/2535/coffee-prices-historical-chart-data

46. Cocoa Price Monthly Trends: Commodity Markets Review | YCharts, accessed January 13, 2025, https://ycharts.com/indicators/world_cocoa_price

47. Cotton Prices – 45 Year Historical Chart | MacroTrends, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.macrotrends.net/2533/cotton-prices-historical-chart-data

48. Tea Price Monthly Trends: Commodity Markets Review | YCharts, accessed January 13, 2025, https://ycharts.com/indicators/world_tea_price

49. Palm Oil – Price – Chart – Historical Data – News – Trading Economics, accessed January 13, 2025, https://cdn.tradingeconomics.com/commodity/palm-oil

50. Palm Oil Futures Historical Prices – Investing.com, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.investing.com/commodities/palm-oil-historical-data

51. Rubber – Daily Price – Commodity Prices – Price Charts, Data, and …, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=rubber&months=300

52. Coffee Market Report | Industry Analysis, Size & Forecast – Mordor Intelligence, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/coffee-market

53. Global Tea Market Size, Share and Growth | Analysis – 2030, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.nextmsc.com/report/tea-market

54. Natural Rubber Market Forecast: Projected Growth to USD, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/28/2970211/0/en/Natural-Rubber-Market-Forecast-Projected-Growth-to-USD-30-914-3-Million-by-2033-Future-Market-Insights-Inc.html

55. What are the Most Produced Cash Crops in Africa? – Visual Capitalist, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/what-are-the-most-produced-cash-crops-in-africa/

56. jsmorlu.gm, accessed January 13, 2025, https://jsmorlu.gm/blog/economy/here-are-the-5-most-produced-cash-crops-in-africa/

57. Top 5 Most Profitable Crops to Grow on Your Startup Farm In Africa – Farmwella, accessed January 13, 2025, https://farmwella.com/top-5-most-profitable-crops-to-grow-on-your-startup-farm-in-africa/

58. U.S. POTATO REFERENCE GUIDE, accessed January 13, 2025, https://potatogoodness.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/potato-types-reference-guide.pdf

59. Seed Potatoes | IFA Country Stores, accessed January 13, 2025, https://info.ifa.coop/potato-varieties

60. Guide to every variety of potatoes to grow – MYKE, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.usemyke.com/en-ca/tips/guide-to-every-variety-of-potatoes-to-grow/

61. The Top Potato Varieties Around the World – Negev Produce, accessed January 13, 2025, https://negev-produce.com/the-top-potato-varieties-around-the-world/

62. Top 5 Most Marketable Export Crops – MBAs For Africa, accessed January 13, 2025, https://www.mbas4africa.com/post/top-5-most-marketable-export-crops

Disclaimer:

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide professional advice, whether legal, financial, medical, or otherwise. The information presented here is based on data and sources believed to be accurate and reliable at the time of publication, but no guarantees are made as to its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to individual circumstances. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to their specific situation. The publisher shall not be liable for any damages or losses arising from any action taken based on the information provided herein. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the content of any external links provided.