Intra‑regional and extra‑regional food trade in West Africa (non‑cocoa, non‑cashew nuts), with observed data (A) and adjusted with estimated unrecorded trade value (B), 2014‑22 average
The true scale and economic significance of intra-regional food trade in West Africa is consistently underestimated. Conventional estimates, often cited in policy discussions, suggest that only 8-15% of the region’s food trade occurs within West Africa depending on the year, products and regional scope.
However, this narrative requires revision for several reasons. First, intra-regional trade is far more likely to go unrecorded than extra-regional flows, resulting in significant underestimation. Second, headline figures are heavily distorted by cocoa and cashew exports.
These two crops alone account for nearly two-thirds of West Africa’s food exports, with almost all shipped outside the region. Cocoa represents nearly one-half of all West Africa’s food exports—90% of it from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana—while cashew makes up 15%, half of which also originates in these two countries. When these cash crops are excluded and unrecorded trade is considered, a very different picture emerges: nearly 40% of the region’s food exports, and as much as 60% in adjusted estimates, remain within West Africa.
Even food imports, which appear dominated by extra-regional flows such as rice, wheat, and palm oil, likely include a much larger regional component. While official data points to only 16% intra-regional imports, the true figure may be closer to 40%.
This evidence highlights the critical, though often invisible, role of regional food markets in feeding populations, supporting livelihoods, and stabilising prices. Policy efforts should move beyond extra-regional cash crops and focus on strengthening regional food value chains.