ALL AGRI #Import

ocoa-leading region coming off two below-average harvests Industry researchers downgrading their earlier 2025/26 forecasts Flower, young pod mortality rates high, despite improved weather

The forecast for a 10% decline in output in the four main producing countries – a consensus view from five producers and six exporters – reverses an earlier forecast for a 5% increase made in May and June. Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world’s two top cocoa producers, along with Nigeria and Cameroon, account for more than two-thirds of global cocoa output.

AGRA has been working on seed systems for 20 years developing robust seed business and enabling better policies that support advanced seed systems. AGRA’s impact on Africa’s seed systems is enormous through a significant contribution to the release of 688 crop varieties released and the strengthening of 114 African seed companies. Together with the empowerment of 38,000 Agro dealers, this is supporting 33 million farmers to access high yielding seed.

As part of efforts to deepen agricultural cooperation and strengthen food security across Africa, Nigeria has donated 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds to Ethiopia. The donation, sufficient to cultivate approximately 600 hectares of farmland, was formally received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr Efa Muleta Boru, ahead of the second United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit to be held in Addis Ababa from July 27 to 29, 2025.Spearheaded under President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda, the green diplomacy initiative reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging agro-development as a strategic instrument for regional diplomacy and sustainable development.

Nigeria is making a strong push to expand its presence in the global cashew market, as exports of the nut reached an impressive $398 million. This growth is particularly significant as cashews are now one of the top agricultural exports for Nigeria, alongside products like cocoa and sesame seeds. The country is positioning itself as a key player in the global cashew trade, with efforts aimed at improving both the quality of its cashew nuts and the value chain from farming to export.

Driven by increasing demand for maize (corn) starch in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.2M tons by the end of 2035. In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Driven by increasing demand for coffee substitutes containing coffee in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 239K tons by the end of 2035.

“Rice is very popular because it is easy to cook,” he said. “It used to seem like a luxury food to many consumers, compared with maize and millet. If you go to Sierra Leone, they used to consume a lot of roots and tubers etc, but people now associate those foods with poverty so they prefer rice.”Sali Atanja Ndindeng heads the rice sector development programme, which develops new varieties in conjunction with market trends and analyses samples received from partner institutions in member countries to help identify good grain quality.

KENYA – In a bold move to reduce Kenya’s staggering KSh 160 billion (US$1.25B) annual edible oil import bill, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has intensified efforts to promote the cultivation of oil-rich crops across the country.

Some imported products could become cheaper in the short term as US tariffs take effect and as countries grapple with surplus in products, diversification efforts and competition. South Africa was slapped with a 30% tariff on local goods, which officially took effect on 7 August. The country said it does not plan to retaliate against Washington, but is offering a revised trade deal, which would be mutually beneficial to both nations. South Africa’s trade partners, including China, are also enduring damaging tariffs from the US, while both Brazil and India are being hit with 50% tariffs. Vietnam and Japan are facing a 20% and 15% tariff, respectively.

Africa's Rice Bran Market Expected to Reach 2.1M Tons and $321M by 2035 Index Box has just published a new report: Africa - Rice Bran - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights. The article discusses the rising demand for rice bran in Africa, leading to a forecasted upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is expected to grow, with a projected CAGR of +1.3% in volume and +1.6% in value from 2024 to 2035.

MENA's Cocoa Market to Grow at +1.2% CAGR, Reaching 408K Tons by 2035 Index Box has just published a new report: MENA - Chocolate And Other Food Preparations Containing Cocoa - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights. The MENA market for chocolate and cocoa-based products is poised for growth, with a projected volume of 408K tons and a value of $1.6B by the end of 2035.