• President Donald Trump removed tariffs on more than 200 food products on November 14, 2025, easing pressure on exporters including African suppliers.

• African agricultural exports to the US grew at an average annual rate of 6.05% from 2020 to 2024, reaching $3.96 billion.

• The expiry of AGOA in September 2025 threatens Africa’s competitive position despite the latest tariff relief.

The tariff measures that the Trump administration imposed in August 2025 created significant challenges for countries targeting the US market. Washington now reconsiders its stance on food products, allowing African exporters to maintain access to American consumers.

President Donald Trump signed a decree on November 14, 2025 that removed duties on more than 200 food products. The White House stated in an online communiqué that the measure covers goods that the US does not produce domestically or in sufficient quantities, including coffee, tea, tomatoes, cocoa, spices, beef, bananas, oranges, tropical fruits and fruit juices.

Washington attributed the policy reversal to “substantial” progress in trade negotiations with selected partner countries and to the current mismatch between domestic demand and national production capacity. Analysts said the decision likely reflects concerns about “inflationary pressure” in the United States.

Reuters data showed that in September 2025 the price of ground beef increased about 13% year on year. Prices of steaks rose nearly 17%, marking the steepest rise in more than three years. Banana prices climbed about 7%, while tomatoes posted a modest 1% rebound. Overall, the cost of food consumed at home increased 2.7% year on year.

African commercial momentum can continue

Analysts said the partial tariff removal will first benefit major US suppliers from South America, Europe and Asia. However, the shift gives African countries an opportunity to consolidate their position in the US market. Africa still accounts for less than 5% of US agricultural and food imports, yet the continent has steadily expanded its sales in recent years. USDA data showed that US purchases of African agricultural products grew at an average annual rate of 6.05%, rising from $3.13 billion in 2020 to $3.96 billion in 2024.

USDA projections for 2025 indicated a moderate increase of about 1% year on year, taking US imports from Africa to nearly USD 4 billion. The main products imported from Africa include cocoa, fruit, coffee and spices, mostly from sub-Saharan suppliers such as Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Ghana, Madagascar and Kenya. In this context, the partial tariff cancellation could sustain the growth observed in agricultural export flows. Yet another factor will determine whether this momentum continues.

Africa’s strong food export performance depends heavily on AGOA, a trade agreement adopted by the United States in May 2000 that grants eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the US market primarily through duty exemptions. The agreement expired in September 2025, creating uncertainty that could remove a critical competitive advantage for beneficiary nations.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum