Agriculture is the single most important economic activity in Africa, employing about two-thirds of the continent’s working population. In each country, agriculture typically contributes between 30% and 60% of GDP and about 30% of export value.
Africa has the largest share of the world’s land suitable for sustainable production expansion. However, inadequate infrastructure across the continent can hamper the efficient movement of agricultural products. Despite these challenges, some African countries have successfully remained active in the global export market, generating millions of dollars from the sale of cash crops and other valuable agricultural products.
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Top 5 Largest Agricultural Markets in Africa
Here are 5 countries with the largest agricultural markets in Africa, based on agricultural production, market size, and trade volume:
1. Nigeria
Nigeria’s primary agricultural export is cocoa beans, which represent a significant portion of the country’s agricultural exports. In 2023, Nigeria exported cocoa beans worth N258.45 billion, a substantial increase from the previous year. Nigeria is the world’s fourth-largest producer of cocoa, with the main export destinations being the Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, and Spain.
Other major agricultural exports include sesame seeds, which were valued at N253.7 billion in 2023, with China as the largest importer, and soybeans, whose exports surged by 55% to N253.66 billion. Nigeria also exported cashew nuts worth N194.22 billion in 2023.
The country’s agricultural market is valued at approximately $60 billion. Agriculture accounts for 24% of Nigeria’s GDP and 40% of national export earnings.
The Nigerian agricultural market holds significant potential but requires strong government policies to exploit these opportunities. Increased investment in irrigation and drainage systems, as well as the development of value chains—including processing, packaging, and marketing—could significantly boost the country’s GDP. Improved access to finance and markets will also benefit local players, particularly commercial farmers. Furthermore, government support for agricultural research, extension services, and public-private partnerships would strengthen the sector.
2. Egypt
Egypt is the world’s largest producer of dates, with approximately 1.73 million tonnes harvested in 2022. The country’s agricultural sector is highly reliant on the Nile River and has over 200,000 agricultural cooperatives. The market size of Egypt’s agricultural sector exceeds $40 billion.
Key agricultural products include cotton, rice, wheat, corn, sugarcane, and potatoes. Agriculture plays a vital role in Egypt’s economy, employing around 25% of the workforce, contributing 14% to the national GDP, and accounting for 20% of national export earnings.
Key agricultural regions include:
● Nile Delta (cotton, wheat, rice)
● Nile Valley (sugarcane, potatoes, tomatoes)
● Western Desert (dates, citrus fruits)
Egypt’s agricultural success is underpinned by modern irrigation systems, developed vertical farming, and greenhouses, as well as a focus on high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Private sector involvement and public-private partnerships have also played an important role.
3. South Africa
South Africa is the world’s second-largest producer of citrus fruits, with over 40,000 commercial farmers. The country has a highly mechanised agricultural sector and an agricultural market valued at over $30 billion.
Key products include maize, sugarcane, wheat, sunflower seeds, citrus fruits, deciduous fruits (apples, pears, grapes), wine, livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, poultry), dairy products, and wool. South Africa’s agricultural sector is an essential contributor to the economy, employing approximately 850,000 people and contributing 2.5% to the national GDP and 10% to national export earnings.
Key agricultural regions in South Africa include:
● Western Cape (fruits, wine, wheat)
● Free State (maize, wheat, sunflower seeds)
● KwaZulu-Natal (sugarcane, citrus fruits)
● Mpumalanga (maize, sugarcane, citrus fruits)
● Northern Cape (wool, cotton)
4. Morocco
Morocco’s largest agricultural export is tomatoes, with exports valued at over $1 billion in 2022. The country is the world’s fourth-largest exporter of tomatoes, behind Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain. Morocco has over 100,000 smallholder farmers, and the agricultural sector is highly dependent on rainfall.
The country’s agricultural market is estimated at $25 billion, and agriculture accounts for approximately 15% of Morocco’s GDP. When combined with the fishing and forestry sectors, agriculture employs about 45% of the workforce. The country is investing heavily in its agricultural sector, with an expected budget of 17.27 billion dirhams ($1.74 billion) under the 2025 Finance Bill. Agricultural production is anticipated to grow to $15.9 billion by 2026, marking a 1% annual growth rate.
5. Ethiopia
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economy, accounting for 36% of GDP as of 2020. The sector supports a wide range of economic activities, including marketing, processing, and export of agricultural products. Ethiopia’s agricultural exports primarily consist of cash crops such as coffee, pulses, oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, and vegetables. Coffee is the largest foreign exchange earner, and Ethiopia is also Africa’s second-largest producer of maize.
Ethiopia’s livestock population is the largest in Africa, with livestock exports contributing 10.6% of export income, including leather and live animals. The agricultural sector employs around 75% of the workforce and accounts for 40% of GDP and 80% of exports.
Despite challenges such as weak market linkages and limited use of agricultural inputs, Ethiopia has significant potential for commercialising its agricultural sector. The government’s pro-private sector policies and the favourable agro-climatic conditions are key drivers of growth. The agriculture market in Ethiopia is estimated at USD 5.09 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6.65 billion by 2029, growing at 5% annually.
The United Nations General Assembly, on 25 September 2015, adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, highlighting the need to invest in rural areas, agriculture, and fisheries. Similarly, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 calls for accelerated agricultural growth and transformation, aiming for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods. While these global and pan-African initiatives are vital, they must be followed by concrete national policies and regulations to attract the necessary scale of investment to transform African agriculture into a net exporter of food and a global agricultural powerhouse.
