• U.S.-Africa agri-food trade hits $11.57 billion in 2025

• African exports to U.S. rise 48%, led by raw commodities

• Africa records $141 million surplus, first in five years

The value of agri-food trade between the United States and African countries reached nearly $11.57 billion in 2025, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlook on agricultural trade.

Trade totaled $7.47 billion in 2024, implying a year-on-year increase of about 55% and marking the highest level in five years. The increase reflects strong growth in both exports and imports.

African exports to the U.S. increase

U.S. imports of agricultural and food products from African countries rose to nearly $5.85 billion in 2025, up 48% from $3.96 billion a year earlier. The USDA does not specify the drivers of the increase, which may be linked to higher volumes or rising global prices for key commodities.

Imports remain concentrated in raw materials with volatile prices, including cocoa, coffee, cashews and spices. The composition of exports is largely unchanged and dominated by sub-Saharan Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Ghana, Madagascar and Kenya as the main suppliers.

Most countries in the region have preferential access to the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), adopted in 2000. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for about 80% of U.S. imports from the continent, equivalent to $4.66 billion in 2025.

U.S. exports to Africa also rise

U.S. agri-food exports to Africa increased by 61% year-on-year to $5.71 billion in 2025, compared with $3.5 billion in 2024.

North Africa, led by Egypt, remained the main destination, accounting for 61% of purchases by value. Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by Nigeria, represented the remaining 39%. Key U.S. exports include soybeans, wheat, animal feed and seafood.

The growing presence of U.S. products in African markets comes as Washington expands trade engagement across the continent. In April 2025, a regional agricultural trade mission was held in Accra, Ghana, bringing together nearly 90 participants, including dozens of African buyers and U.S. exporters.

According to USDA estimates, the mission is expected to generate between $6 million and $8 million in new sales of U.S. meat products within six to 12 months.

Further initiatives included a soybean industry conference in Lagos in July 2025 aimed at promoting U.S. products in Nigeria, and a trade mission to Morocco in December 2024 to expand market access.

Despite the rise in U.S. exports, Africa recorded a slight trade surplus of $141 million. This marks the first time in five years that the continent has exported more agri-food products to the United States than it has imported.

Stéphanas Assocle