Exports are vital to global trade, particularly in Africa, where agriculture plays a central role. They enable farmers and agribusinesses to access larger markets, increasing income and stability. Many African countries rely on agricultural products like cocoa, coffee, tea, oilseeds, and horticulture for foreign revenue. 

While exports have traditionally been unprocessed, recent investments and the AfCFTA framework are changing this, emphasising quality, sustainability, and supply resilience. 

As Africa’s trade evolves, smallholders and agribusinesses have new opportunities to engage in global value chains. This guide examines the top export crops by type and region, provides trade strategies for farmers and exporters, and highlights key markets and trade networks to leverage for growth and expansion.

Top Export Crops in Africa by Crop Type

According to the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor Report 2024, and recent trade analyses, several leading commodity groups with distinct growth trends dominate Africa’s agricultural exports, including:

• Edible Fruits and Nuts: Fruits and nuts, representing 21.3% of agricultural exports, and including tropical fruits and nuts, have seen their importance grow steadily due to rising global demand and the expansion of export-grade processing and logistics capacity. Improvements in cold-chain systems and market access have helped African fruit and nut exporters integrate more deeply into global value chains.​
• Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations: The AATM reports that Africa contributes roughly 19–20% of global cocoa exports by value, led by Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. Although the region produces far more than this share in raw cocoa beans, the lower export-value share reflects the fact that much of Africa’s cocoa is exported in unprocessed form. Nonetheless, cocoa continues to support millions of rural households across West Africa and remains a critical pillar of the continent’s agricultural economy.
• Coffee, Tea, and Spices: The report also highlights the growing importance of coffee, tea, and spices, a category primarily driven by East African producers, such as Ethiopia and Kenya. This export segment grew by approximately 6% over the reviewed period, driven by strong demand in speciality markets and quality improvements within producer cooperatives and processing systems.
• Vegetables, Roots, and Tubers: Africa’s exports of vegetables, roots, and tubers contribute about 7–8% of total agricultural export value, with an average growth rate of around 6.5% in recent years. These include staples such as cassava, yams, and potatoes, as well as a variety of fresh vegetables. Although much of the production of these crops is consumed domestically, the share destined for export is expanding as regional and international buyers respond to improved packaging, processing, and phytosanitary standards.
• Oilseeds and Oleaginous Fruits: The AATM further notes the rapid rise of oilseeds and oleaginous fruits, such as sesame, palm oil derivatives, and sunflower products. This group has recorded one of the highest growth rates, approximately 14–15%, reflecting the rising global demand for vegetable oils and the increasing industrial uses of these crops. Countries in East and West Africa have increasingly leveraged this demand, particularly as international buyers seek diversified sourcing options.
• Cotton: In West and Central Africa, cotton remains an essential export commodity. The AATM reports a growth rate of roughly 12–13% for cotton exports, driven by sustained international demand and ongoing improvements in production practices. Cotton continues to serve as an essential cash crop for rural households, while also supporting the textile industries of importing countries.
• Animal and Vegetable Fats: The report highlights the strong performance of these fats, particularly products such as shea butter, which have gained international traction in the food and cosmetics industries. Exports in this category have grown by about 16–17%, making it one of the fastest-expanding segments in Africa’s agricultural trade profile. The rise of niche markets, particularly those featuring ethically sourced and women-produced shea products, has further fueled this growth.

Regional Export Overview in Africa

Africa’s geographic diversity shapes distinct export strengths by region:

• West Africa: Nigeria is a powerhouse in sesame seed and cocoa exports. For example, in Q1 2024, sesame seed exports alone were valued at ₦247.75 billion, according to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics. Ghana also plays a strong role, exporting large quantities of cocoa beans and cashew nuts.
• East Africa: Ethiopia stands out for coffee and tea exports. In just the first seven months of its 2024/25 fiscal year, it earned US$1.016 billion from coffee, tea, and spices. By the end of the fiscal year, Ethiopia’s coffee export revenue had reached a record US$2.65 billion. This surge is tied to reforms, growing global demand, and productivity gains. 
• Southern Africa: South Africa is a leading exporter of deciduous fruit, citrus, and maize. Its agricultural exports set a new record in 2024 at US$13.7 billion, according to the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC). The NAMC annual report also shows that grapes, apples/pears, maize, and oranges are among the top export products.
• North Africa: Egypt and Morocco export high-value crops, including cotton, tomatoes, and dates; Egypt produces over 1.7 million tonnes of dates annually.

Advanced Market Expansion Strategies for African Farmers and Exporters

The best way for African farmers and exporters to unlock and scale their export potential is to use deliberate, strategic market-expansion approaches. Below are key strategies, their importance, and important considerations for implementation.

1. Leverage African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): African farmers and exporters should fully exploit the AfCFTA framework to access regional markets with improved terms. Under AfCFTA, tariffs on many intra‑African goods are being reduced, and trade procedures are being harmonised. For example, smaller agribusinesses and cooperatives can tap into new markets across the continent by using AfCFTA’s Rules of Origin (which help them qualify for preferential treatment) and benefit from trade‑facilitation infrastructure. 

Moreover, trade under the AfCFTA is being supported by finance: Afreximbank, in partnership with the AfCFTA and the World Food Programme (WFP), has committed at least US$2 billion to boost agriculture, agro-processors, and commodity traders. Reducing trade costs and improving integration can help formalise cross-border trade, particularly benefiting informal traders (e.g., smallholder farmers) and enhancing predictability. 

2. Use Digital Market Intelligence:  Real‑time and data‑driven platforms like AgroCentric are essential for modern agricultural exporters to make informed decisions through the insightful content and news made available. Technology and digital tools help farmers monitor global demand, price fluctuations, and buyer preferences, making them more responsive and competitive. On the data‑platform side, market‑intelligence firms like Stears offer subscription‑based data services to analyse investment, market-entry, and value-chain trends across African agriculture.

3. Adopt International Quality Certifications: Gaining recognised certifications enables African exporters to access premium global markets. Certifications such as organic, Fair Trade, GlobalG.A.P., or ISO standards are increasingly demanded by buyers in Europe, North America, and beyond.  Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are an interesting, cost‑effective alternative: these are local certification systems rooted in trust and stakeholder participation, often used when third-party certification is too expensive.

Cooperatives or producer networks can pool resources to obtain third-party certifications, which enhances their collective access to speciality-value markets. For example, some African agribusinesses leverage certifications to improve traceability and justify premium pricing.

4. Build Strategic Partnerships: Forming alliances with key value-chain stakeholders, buyers, processors, and logistics companies is critical: partnerships with international buyers (retailers, food companies) help guarantee offtake, provide market intelligence, and reduce risk.

Local agribusiness development firms specialise in connecting smallholders to export markets, building value chains, and providing aggregation and logistics services.
Producer associations and commodity alliances (e.g., the African Cashew Alliance) create collective bargaining power, enabling smallholder farmers to negotiate better deals, access processing facilities, and improve quality.

5. Invest in Logistics and Infrastructure: One of the biggest bottlenecks to export growth is weak infrastructure, freezing storage and transport. Cold chain infrastructure in many African countries is critically underdeveloped, especially in rural areas. 

Innovative models are emerging: decentralised, solar-powered cold rooms and temperature-monitoring technologies are being deployed to bridge the infrastructure gap, reduce spoilage, and improve product quality. Ecotutu demonstrates how African-led innovation can turn this challenge into an opportunity. 

Export Market Maps and Key Destinations

Africa’s major export destinations are segmented as:

• Europe: In Europe, African exporters, especially of cocoa, coffee, and high‑value fruits and nuts, find a mature and high-demand market. The European Union has long been a primary destination for these commodities, with the Netherlands and Belgium serving as major cocoa-trading hubs: the Port of Amsterdam is the world’s largest cocoa cluster, and Antwerp‑Bruges in Belgium is another key re‑export centre. According to the European Commission, among the leading agricultural exports from African countries under the ACP/EU agreement are cocoa beans, tropical fruits, nuts, and spices. 
• Asia: There is a strong, growing demand for commodities such as sesame, cashew nuts, and soybeans. For instance, China has increasingly opened its market to African sesame, chilli, and cashew commodities, and provides preferential tariffs for some African-origin agri‑products.

China Daily reported that in 2025, more than 80% of sesame imports at specific Chinese ports came from Africa, aided by zero-tariff treatment for sesame from several African countries. Moreover, Singapore-based Robust International is investing in processing capacity in African countries (Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, etc.) for sesame and cashew, with a large share of production destined for China and other Asian markets. 

• Intra-Africa: With the implementation of the AfCFTA, regional trade corridors are expanding, particularly for staple crops and horticultural products, enabling greater movement of goods between neighbouring countries with lower trade barriers. 

How African Agripreneurs Can Join New Trade Networks to Increase Export Opportunities

Here are some easy ways to join trade networks:

• Access export finance through government schemes and international funds aimed at scaling production.​
• Emphasise quality control with farm-level testing and postharvest handling to meet import restrictions.​
• Use a digital platform that connects African farmers directly with buyers globally.​
• Participate in agricultural trade fairs to network and showcase products to international buyers.​

According to Lanre Awojoodu, building a thriving agricultural export business in Africa isn’t just about growing crops; it’s about mindset, relationships, and resilience. He emphasises that exports within Africa are not a quick win: they require navigating poor infrastructure, months‑long port delays, insecurity in farming regions, and establishing trust with both suppliers and buyers.

Ultimately, Africa’s path to sustainable agricultural exports involves a combination of innovation, professionalism, and resilience. By aligning market strategies with infrastructure development, digital tools, and quality enhancements, African farmers and exporters can not only expand their global reach but also strengthen local food systems, reduce waste, and create a lasting economic impact across the continent.