Food exports in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Food exports was 12.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Food exports in Africa Western and Central, 1962–2023
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise exports.
Analysis
In 2023, food exports in Africa Western and Central stood at 12.1%.
The figure is up 5.2% on the previous year and up 2.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food exports in Africa Western and Central peaked at 59.6% in 1962 and was at its lowest, 11.5%, in 2022.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 53.6% | 48.3% | 59.6% | 8 |
| 1970s | 29.8% | 24.2% | 42.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 22.0% | 21.0% | 22.9% | 2 |
| 1990s | 15.4% | 14.0% | 16.4% | 4 |
| 2000s | 13.6% | 12.2% | 15.4% | 8 |
| 2010s | 13.5% | 11.9% | 15.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.5% | 11.5% | 13.6% | 4 |
More private sector data for Africa Western and Central
- Food imports 15.3% (2023)
- Manufactures imports 54.3% (2023)
- Merchandise imports 163.34 billion current US$ (2025)
- Merchandise trade 43.1% (2025)
- Manufactures exports 7.0% (2023)
- Merchandise exports 204.10 billion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 23.98 billion current US$ (2024)
- Transport services 39.8% (2024)
- Computer, communications and other services 35.9% (2024)
- Commercial service imports 64.22 billion current US$ (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food exports in Africa Western and Central?
- Food exports in Africa Western and Central was 12.1% in 2023, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest food exports recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 59.6% in 1962.
- What is the lowest food exports recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.5% in 2022.
- Is food exports rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Food exports (% of merchandise exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Food comprises the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) sections 0 (food and live animals), 1 (beverages and tobacco), and 4 (animal and vegetable oils and fats) and division 22 (oil seeds, oil nuts, and oil kernels). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise exports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a resident and a non-resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.