• Export bans in Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo shake up global shea supply.

• Shea butter demand rises as a cheaper cocoa butter alternative in confectionery.

• Local processors may benefit, but price volatility and production gaps persist.

West Africa’s shea industry is entering uncharted territory as a wave of export bans unsettles global trade. Since late 2024, four of the region’s top producers—Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo—have suspended raw shea nut shipments, adding uncertainty to a market already under pressure.

“This situation is completely unprecedented, so it’s hard to predict what will happen,” said Anaïs Chotard, a shea analyst with market intelligence firm N’kalô.

The bans come as Europe faces tight supply conditions, with stock levels at record lows due to two years of reduced harvests and strong demand. Shea butter, already in high demand, is gaining ground as a cheaper substitute for cocoa butter in chocolate and confectionery products—especially given its stability at high temperatures.

European regulations allow up to 5% vegetable fats, including shea, in chocolate formulations without losing the “chocolate” label. That has encouraged food companies to increase purchases.

Local impact unclear

While the export restrictions aim to stimulate local processing, their actual impact varies.
“Last year in Mali and Burkina Faso, the bans didn’t cause internal prices to spike. Instead, they supported local transformation, even if some nuts were smuggled out,” Chotard said. “But in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, limited processing capacity makes it hard to anticipate what will happen. The restrictions might help plants operate more efficiently than last year, when prices surged.”

Mixed production, volatile prices

In its July 11 bulletin, N’kalô described the 2025 season outlook as mixed. Production is average in major basins such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and parts of Benin. Combined with low carry-over stocks, this is pushing prices up.

Farmgate prices vary widely across the region. Burkina Faso is seeing highs of 440 CFA/kg, along with Togo and Ghana—driven by strong local demand. Meanwhile, Mali and Nigeria report lower prices due to more abundant supply and cautious buying behavior.

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo (Ecofin Agency)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho