Africa - Spices - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

Africa's Spices Market to Witness 1.8% CAGR Growth, Reaching 3M Tons by 2035 

Index Box has just published a new report: Africa - Spices - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights. The African spice market is predicted to continue its upward consumption trend, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.8% in volume and +2.1% in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth is driven by increasing demand for spices in Africa, indicating a promising market outlook for the future.

Market Forecast 

Driven by increasing demand for spices in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3M tons by the end of 2035. 

Consumption 

Africa's Consumption 

of Spices In 2024, approx. 2.5M tons of spices were consumed in Africa; which is down by -5.6% compared with the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The volume of consumption peaked at 2.7M tons in 2023, and then fell in the following year. 

Consumption By Country The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Nigeria (746K tons), Ethiopia (544K tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (139K tons), with a combined 57% share of total consumption. Benin, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Morocco and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%. 

Production 

Africa's Production 

of Spices After two years of growth, production of spices decreased by -2.1% to 2.5M tons in 2024. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 2.6M tons in 2023, and then dropped in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a tangible expansion of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures. 

Production By Country 

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Nigeria (845K tons), Ethiopia (546K tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (139K tons), together accounting for 60% of total production. Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%. 

Africa's Imports 

of Spices In 2024, purchases abroad of spices decreased by -2.4% to 263K tons, falling for the second consecutive year after seven years of growth. Total imports indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -5.6% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 14%. The volume of import peaked at 279K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure. 

Import Prices By Type 

In 2024, the import price in Africa amounted to $2,608 per ton, increasing by 4.7% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 13% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $2,837 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure. 

Import Prices 

By Country The import price in Africa stood at $2,608 per ton in 2024, picking up by 4.7% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 13%. The level of import peaked at $2,837 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Exports 

Africa's Exports 

of Spices In 2024, the amount of spices exported in Africa surged to 292K tons, with an increase of 43% compared with 2023. Over the period under review, exports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term. 

Export Prices By Country 

The export price in Africa stood at $3,316 per ton in 2024, dropping by -27.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the export price increased by 41%. The level of export peaked at $11,531 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.