This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 3/26/2019

Overview

Côte d’Ivoire has a large agriculture potential as 75 percent of the national territory constitutes arable agricultural land.  Agriculture accounts for 25 percent of GDP and 60 percent of export receipts.  The sector employs two-thirds of the population.  Côte d’Ivoire is a net food exporter of major cash crops grown by small farmers including: cocoa, coffee, rubber, cotton, palm oil, cashew nuts and bananas.  The country imports rice, wheat, corn meal and dairy products.

The main agricultural products are exported raw or unprocessed.  Currently, opportunities exist for U.S. companies in processing cashew nuts, cocoa, palm oil (bio-fuels), and other value-added products.  Côte d’Ivoire is the world top producer and one of the world’s top exporters of cashews.  Production of cashews has grown from 635,000 tons in 2015 to more than 650,000 tons in 2016. And this year’s production is 750,000 tons of which less than 10% is processed.  To increase this rate, the Ivoirian government, through additions to the fiscal facilities in the investment code, has decided to give an incentive of $0.69 per kg of cashew processed.  

With the demands of a growing consumer class, Côte d’Ivoire is a major importer of grains such as rice and cereals, and prepared fruits, nuts, and vegetables.  There is also a growing demand for beverages, spirits, and meat.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.