Agricultural Imports Driving Africa’s Trade

Africa’s major agricultural imports largely consist of products for which the continent lacks a revealed comparative advantage (RCA), with notable exceptions being sugars and sugar confectionery and tobacco substitutes.

According to the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) Report 2024, the top ten imported product categories make up 81% of Africa’s total agricultural imports. According to the AATM 2024 database, the top 10 major agricultural import commodities in Africa from 2018 to 2022, based on average annual growth rates, are detailed by the authors’ calculations.

1. Cereals dominated Africa’s agricultural imports with a 31.5% share.

2. Animal or vegetable fats and oils were the second most significant agricultural imports, contributing 11.9% to the total import share.

3. Sugars and sugar confectionery ranked third, with a 7.7% share of total imports.

4. Dairy produce, eggs, and honey constituted 5.9% of Africa’s agricultural imports.

5. Meat and edible meat offal followed closely with a 4.9% share in total imports.

6. Preparations of cereals, flour, starch, or milk contributed 4.2% to Africa’s total agricultural imports.

7. Miscellaneous edible preparations made up 3.9% of the continent’s agricultural imports.

8. Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes accounted for 3.8% of total agricultural imports.

9. Beverages, spirits, and vinegar represented 3.7% of Africa’s agricultural imports.

10. Oilseeds and oleaginous fruits lastly made up 3.5% of the total agricultural imports.