• Africa ran a $16.7 billion agricultural trade deficit in 2023.
• Five countries recorded net agricultural export surpluses over 2019–2023.
• South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire led the ranking by trade balance.

Africa has posted a persistent agricultural trade deficit since 2006, with imports consistently exceeding exports. The 2025 edition of the Africa Agricultural Trade Monitor (AATM), an annual report tracking agricultural trade trends across the continent, shows that Africa exported about $93.3 billion worth of agricultural products in 2023, while imports reached nearly $110 billion over the same period.

However, data compiled in the report, published in December 2025 and covering the 2019–2023 period, highlight five African countries that exported more agricultural and food products than they imported.

South Africa

With average annual agricultural exports of $14.4 billion between 2019 and 2023, compared with $7.3 billion in imports, South Africa topped the ranking of Africa’s net agricultural exporters. The country posted an average annual trade surplus of $7.1 billion over the period.

Exports were highly diversified. They included fruits such as citrus, grapes, apples, and pears, as well as maize, wine, fruit juices, sugar, wool, and livestock. Imports mainly covered products for which domestic climatic conditions are less favorable, including rice and palm oil. Wheat, poultry, and spirits, including whisky, were also among the main import items.

Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire ranked second, with an average annual agricultural trade surplus of $5.2 billion over the 2019–2023 period.

This performance was driven mainly by cocoa. The country is Africa’s leading cocoa exporter and a major global supplier. Cocoa beans, butter, and powder accounted for most agricultural export revenues. Cashew nuts and natural rubber also played a key role, with Côte d’Ivoire ranking as the continent’s top exporter for both products. Average annual agricultural exports reached $8.4 billion during the period.

Agricultural imports averaged $3.2 billion per year. They consisted mainly of cereals, including rice and wheat, for domestic consumption, as well as fish, meat, and beverages.

Kenya

Kenya ranked third, with an average annual agricultural trade surplus of $1.2 billion between 2019 and 2023.

Over the period, East Africa’s largest economy posted average annual agricultural exports of $4.5 billion. Tea was the country’s main export product. It accounted for more than 10% of total shipments and benefited from strong demand in Europe and Asia. Cut flowers and horticultural products also generated a large share of export revenues.

Imports averaged $3.3 billion per year. They focused mainly on cereals, including wheat, maize, and rice, to offset domestic production shortfalls, as well as edible oils and sugar.

Ghana

Ghana was the second West African country in the ranking. It recorded average annual agricultural exports of $3.6 billion between 2019 and 2023, against imports of $2.9 billion. This resulted in an average annual trade surplus of $700 million.

Agricultural exports were largely driven by cocoa. Ghana is Africa’s second-largest cocoa exporter after Côte d’Ivoire. Cocoa beans, butter, and powder formed the core of export revenues. Cashew nuts, fish products, mainly tuna, and shea butter followed.

Imports focused mainly on cereals, including rice and wheat, to meet domestic food demand. Sugar and frozen fish were also key import items.

Morocco

Morocco was the only North African country in the ranking. Its agricultural trade balance was close to equilibrium, with average annual exports of $8.6 billion between 2019 and 2023, compared with $8.4 billion in imports. This narrow surplus points to a fragile but still positive trade balance.

Exports relied mainly on fishery products and on fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, citrus fruits, and berries, including strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, benefited from strong access to European markets, supported by geographic proximity and trade agreements. Morocco modernized its agricultural sector through the Green Morocco Plan implemented between 2008 and 2020. Since 2020, it has relied on the Generation Green strategy to strengthen sector resilience.

Agricultural imports were dominated by wheat and other cereals to meet domestic demand, as well as vegetable oils and sugar.