Cote d’Ivoire Major Exports
Côte d’Ivoire, one of the largest economies in West Africa, is known for its diverse and dynamic export base. The country is a major producer of agricultural products, particularly cocoa and coffee, and has been making strides to diversify its export portfolio with significant contributions from minerals, oil, and manufactured goods. Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic location, growing infrastructure, and trade agreements have helped it strengthen its role in global markets.
Cocoa and Coffee
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest exporter of cocoa and one of the top exporters of coffee, making these agricultural products central to the country’s export economy. Both crops are vital to the livelihood of millions of Ivorians and represent the backbone of the country’s agricultural exports.
Export Value of Cocoa and Coffee
- Cocoa exports were valued at approximately $3.5 billion in 2022.
- Coffee exports were valued at around $500 million in the same year.
- Cocoa and coffee together account for about 25% of the country’s total exports.
- The primary markets for both crops are Europe, North America, and Asia.
Côte d’Ivoire has long been recognized for its high-quality cocoa beans, which are used by some of the world’s leading chocolate manufacturers. Similarly, Ivorian coffee, primarily grown in the western regions, enjoys a reputation for quality, with much of it being exported to European countries.
Key Cocoa and Coffee Products
- Cocoa Beans: The country is known for its premium-quality cocoa, used in the global chocolate industry.
- Cocoa Products: Includes cocoa butter, powder, and paste.
- Raw Coffee: Coffee beans are exported to global markets, particularly to Europe and North America.
- Roasted Coffee: Although smaller in quantity, roasted coffee is increasingly becoming an important export product.
Both sectors play a vital role in Côte d’Ivoire’s economy, and the government has made efforts to improve productivity, sustainability, and farmer income through various initiatives and reforms.
Oil and Petroleum Products
Côte d’Ivoire is an important oil producer in West Africa, with oil exports playing a significant role in its export portfolio. The country’s oil industry, concentrated in offshore fields, has grown steadily in recent years, attracting foreign investment and boosting the country’s energy sector.
Export Value of Oil and Petroleum Products
- Oil exports were valued at approximately $1.6 billion in 2022.
- Oil accounts for about 15% of Côte d’Ivoire’s total exports.
- Major markets include the United States, China, and Europe.
The country’s oil production is primarily centered on offshore reserves in the Gulf of Guinea. Along with crude oil, Côte d’Ivoire also exports refined petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, to meet regional demand in West Africa.
Key Oil Products
- Crude Oil: A significant portion of the oil exports is crude oil, which is refined in international markets.
- Refined Petroleum: Includes petroleum derivatives such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.
Côte d’Ivoire is working to expand its oil and gas sector further, with investments in infrastructure and exploration to increase production and exports in the coming years.
Gold and Minerals
The mining sector in Côte d’Ivoire has seen rapid growth, driven by the extraction of gold, bauxite, and manganese. Côte d’Ivoire is one of Africa’s top gold producers, and its mining sector has attracted substantial foreign investment.
Export Value of Gold and Minerals
- Gold exports were valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2022.
- Other mineral exports, including bauxite and manganese, contributed about $600 million.
- Together, minerals account for about 10% of the country’s total exports.
The gold mining sector in Côte d’Ivoire has expanded in recent years, with large-scale commercial mining operations and a growing number of exploration projects.
Key Mineral Products
- Gold: Côte d’Ivoire is one of Africa’s top gold producers, with significant production from both large mines and artisanal mining.
- Bauxite: The country is a key exporter of bauxite, primarily to China and other Asian markets.
- Manganese: Manganese, used in steel production, is another key mineral exported by Côte d’Ivoire.
- Cement: While not as large as other mineral exports, cement is an emerging export product.
The government has been promoting the development of the mining sector as part of its broader efforts to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on agricultural exports.
Tropical Fruits and Other Agricultural Products
Aside from cocoa and coffee, Côte d’Ivoire is a significant exporter of other tropical agricultural products, such as bananas, pineapples, and palm oil. The country benefits from its tropical climate, which allows for the cultivation of a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
Export Value of Tropical Fruits and Other Agricultural Products
- Exports of tropical fruits and other agricultural products were valued at approximately $1.3 billion in 2022.
- These products account for about 10% of Côte d’Ivoire’s total exports.
- Major markets include the European Union, Russia, and other African countries.
Côte d’Ivoire is also a major producer of palm oil, and it has become one of the leading suppliers of bananas and pineapples in the West African region.
Key Agricultural Products
- Bananas: Bananas are among the top agricultural exports, particularly to the European Union.
- Pineapples: Pineapples, particularly from the southwestern regions, are a growing export product.
- Palm Oil: Côte d’Ivoire is a leading producer of palm oil, exporting both crude and refined palm oil to international markets.
- Cashews: Côte d’Ivoire is one of the largest exporters of cashews in Africa.
Agriculture remains a vital part of the Ivorian economy, contributing to employment and rural development while boosting foreign exchange earnings.
Fisheries and Seafood
Côte d’Ivoire has a rich maritime zone, with significant potential for fisheries and seafood exports. The country’s coastline along the Gulf of Guinea supports a thriving fishing industry, with a focus on both industrial and artisanal fishing.
Export Value of Fisheries and Seafood
- Fisheries exports were valued at approximately $200 million in 2022.
- Seafood exports represent around 2% of Côte d’Ivoire’s total exports.
- Major markets include the European Union and regional markets in West Africa.
The country’s seafood exports include fish, shrimp, and other marine products, which are popular in international markets, especially in Europe and Asia.
Key Seafood Products
- Fish: Includes a wide range of species, such as tuna, tilapia, and sardines.
- Shrimp: Shrimp is one of the primary seafood export products, particularly to Europe.
- Other Marine Products: Includes products like squid and octopus, which are in demand in international seafood markets.
The fishing industry, particularly in the export of shrimp and tuna, has seen steady growth and is expected to contribute more to Côte d’Ivoire’s export economy in the future.
Other Notable Exports
- Chemicals: The chemical industry is growing, with fertilizers, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceutical products being key exports.
- Textiles and Apparel: Although small compared to other sectors, the textile industry is emerging, with apparel exports directed primarily to regional markets in Africa and Europe.
- Sugar and Beverages: Côte d’Ivoire also exports sugar, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, contributing to the diversification of the export base.
Côte d’Ivoire’s export economy is diversified across a variety of sectors, from agriculture to minerals and oil, and the country continues to invest in expanding its manufacturing and industrial base to enhance economic growth and stability.
Top Products Exported by Cote d’Ivoire
Market Value: 70 (millions) – Last Updated: June, 2024
| Rank | Product | Trade Value (thousands) | Share (%) | Growth (% 5yr) |
| 1 | Lumber | 3,726 | 5.35 | 0.00 |
| 2 | Uncoated Paper | 2,764 | 3.97 | 0.00 |
| 3 | Copper Waste & Scrap | 2,130 | 3.06 | 0.00 |
| 4 | Stainless Steel Products- > 600MM Wide | 1,369 | 1.97 | 0.00 |
| 5 | Ferrous Waste & Scrap | 1,284 | 1.84 | 0.00 |
| 6 | Structures & Parts of Iron or Steel | 815 | 1.17 | 0.00 |
| 7 | Tobacco | 786 | 1.13 | 0.00 |
| 8 | Niobium | 770 | 1.11 | 0.00 |
| 9 | Electronic Integrated Circuits | 609 | 0.88 | 0.00 |
| 10 | Synthetic Tanning Substitutes | 519 | 0.74 | 0.00 |
| 11 | Tanning Extracts of Vegetable Origin | 425 | 0.61 | 0.00 |
| 12 | Leguminous Vegetables | 409 | 0.59 | 0.00 |
| 13 | Knitted Womens & Girls Blouses & Shirts | 349 | 0.50 | 0.00 |
| 14 | Dried Fish | 301 | 0.43 | 0.00 |
| 15 | Beauty & Make-up Perparations | 281 | 0.40 | 0.00 |
| 16 | Oil Seeds & Oleaginous Fruits | 268 | 0.38 | 0.00 |
| 17 | Other Animals | 236 | 0.34 | 0.00 |
| 18 | Acyclic Alcohols | 223 | 0.32 | 0.00 |
| 19 | Narrow Woven Fabrics | 218 | 0.31 | 0.00 |
| 20 | Iron & Steel > 600 mm Wide – Clad | 198 | 0.28 | 0.00 |
| 21 | Cotton | 161 | 0.23 | 0.00 |
| 22 | Parts For Fork Lifts, Bulldozers & Graders | 159 | 0.23 | 0.00 |
| 23 | Computers, Printers & Storage Units | 149 | 0.21 | 0.00 |
| 24 | Cotton Yarn – > 85% | 145 | 0.21 | 0.00 |
| 25 | Fish Fillets | 144 | 0.21 | 0.00 |
| 26 | Prepared & Preserved Fish | 139 | 0.20 | 0.00 |
| 27 | Precious & Semiprecious Stones | 137 | 0.20 | 1,982.56 |
| 28 | Electric Ignition Equipment | 126 | 0.18 | 0.00 |
| 29 | Medicines in Doses | 122 | 0.18 | 0.00 |
| 30 | Cow &Horse Hides -No Hair | 114 | 0.16 | 0.00 |
| 31 | Dental Preparations | 109 | 0.16 | 0.00 |
| 32 | Molluscs | 94 | 0.13 | 406.12 |
| 33 | Synthetic Filament Yarn | 91 | 0.13 | 0.00 |
| 34 | Automatic Regulating & Control Instruments | 90 | 0.13 | 0.00 |
| 35 | Handbags, Wallets & Travel Goods | 85 | 0.12 | 0.00 |
| 36 | Copper Tubes & Pipes | 81 | 0.12 | 0.00 |
| 37 | Computer & Office Machines Parts | 76 | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| 38 | Wood, Continuously Shaped (Tongued or Grooved | 74 | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| 39 | Chain & Parts | 73 | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| 40 | Knitted T-Shirts | 73 | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| 41 | Plastic Containers | 72 | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| 42 | Carbon | 71 | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| 43 | Food Preparations | 68 | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| 44 | Optical Elements | 59 | 0.09 | 0.00 |
| 45 | Slide Fasteners & Parts | 56 | 0.08 | 0.00 |
| 46 | Ink | 55 | 0.08 | 0.00 |
| 47 | Prepared Driers | 51 | 0.07 | 0.00 |
| 48 | Refractory Bricks | 50 | 0.07 | 0.00 |
| 49 | New Pneumatic Tires | 48 | 0.07 | 0.00 |
| 50 | Aircraft Parts | 44 | 0.06 | -95.49 |
| 51 | Transister & Semiconductor Devices | 41 | 0.06 | 0.00 |
| 52 | Parts of Electric Motors | 41 | 0.06 | 0.00 |
| 53 | Tube & Pipe Fittings | 38 | 0.05 | 0.00 |
| 54 | Paper Labels | 32 | 0.05 | 0.00 |
| 55 | Builders Ware of Plastics | 32 | 0.05 | 0.00 |
| 56 | Television, Radio & Assessory Parts | 29 | 0.04 | 1,351.20 |
| 57 | Copper Bars | 24 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 58 | Soap | 23 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 59 | Parts For Machines & Instruments | 22 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 60 | Soda & Sulfate Chemical Woodpulp | 21 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 61 | Transformers, Converters & Power Supplies | 20 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 62 | Coffee | 20 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 63 | Wood Sawn > 6 mm | 19 | 0.03 | -51.35 |
| 64 | Non-Knit Mens & Boys Shirts | 18 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 65 | Motor Vehicle Parts | 18 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| 66 | Spectacles | 15 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 67 | Aluminum Plates | 13 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 68 | Interchange Hand & Machine Tools | 13 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 69 | Cotton Waste | 12 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 70 | Medical, Dental & Vet Instruments | 11 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 71 | Kraft Paper | 11 | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| 72 | Binders For Found Molds | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 73 | Washers & Dryers | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 74 | Engines & Motors | 10 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 75 | Oscilloscopes & Electrical Measuring Instruments | 9 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 76 | Pumps For Liquids | 9 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 77 | Water Heaters | 9 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 78 | Woven Cotton Fabrics > 85% > 200 G/M2 | 7 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 79 | Instruments for Measure & Check Flow | 7 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 80 | Refined Copper & Alloys | 6 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 81 | Arcade, Table or Parlor Games | 6 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 82 | Veneer Sheets | 6 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 83 | Non-Adhesive Plastic Plates, Sheets & Film | 5 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 84 | Paint & Varnish | 5 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 85 | Furniture & Parts | 5 | 0.01 | 70.90 |
| 86 | Iron & Steel > 600 mm Wide – Hot | 5 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 87 | Parts For Machine Tools | 4 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 88 | Telephone, Fax & Switching Apparatus | 4 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 89 | Odoriferous Mixtures | 4 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 90 | Transmission & Conveyor Belts | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 91 | Sand Blasting Machines | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 92 | Non-Knit Babies Garments & Accessories | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 93 | Bells & Ornaments | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 94 | Articles of Aluminum | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 95 | Glassware For Table | 3 | 0.00 | 40.05 |
| 96 | Taps, Cocks & Valves | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 97 | Lamps & Lighting Fittings | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 98 | Air & Vacuum Pumps | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 99 | Instruments For Physical or Chemical Analysis | 2 | 0.00 | -46.15 |
| 100 | Cane Sugar | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 101 | Measuring or Checking Instruments | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 102 | Non-Knit Mens & Boys Suits | 2 | 0.00 | -72.06 |
| 103 | Switches, Relays & Fuses < 1000 Volts | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 104 | Knitted Sweaters | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 105 | Mattress Supports | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 106 | Battery Waste | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 107 | Machinery Parts | 2 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 108 | Articles of Iron & Steel | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 109 | Electric Storage Batteries | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 110 | Pianos | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 111 | Specialized Electrical Machinery & Parts | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 112 | Insulating Fittings For Assembly | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 113 | Electric Filament & Discharge Lamps | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 114 | Gaskets & Similar Joints of Metal Sheeting | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 115 | Mechanical Machinery & Parts | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 116 | Insecticides | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 117 | Articles of Wood | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 118 | Non-Knit Womens & Girls Suits | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 119 | Human Blood | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 120 | Fresh Fish | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 121 | Records & Tapes | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 122 | Articles of Jewelry & Parts | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 123 | Carpentry of Wood | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 124 | Wine | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 125 | Glass Mirrors | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 126 | Pictures & Photos | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 127 | Books | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 128 | Wood Packings | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 129 | Labels & Badges | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 130 | Cel Phones, Video Recorders & Radio Transcievers | 0 | 0.00 | -99.74 |
| 131 | Articles of Glass | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
