Cocoa products accounted for 30% of the US' agricultural imports from Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024

Key Takeaways:

  • Cocoa products, including paste, butter, and beans dominated the US' agricultural imports from Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, making up nearly one-third of the total.
  • Other major import categories included coffee, seafood, oilseed meals, and tree nuts, rounding out the top six.
  • The top 10 agricultural imports accounted for 74% of all the US' agricultural imports from the region.
  • Each of the top 10 products had an import value exceeding $120 million.
  • From SSA, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana were the leading suppliers of cocoa products to the US in 2024.
  • The top three products together represented 41% of the total agricultural imports from the region.

In 2024, the United States imported $3.35 billion worth of agricultural goods from Sub-Saharan Africa. Cocoa paste and cocoa butter led these imports at $534.97 million (16%), followed by cocoa beans at $484.42 million (14%) and unroasted coffee at $383.25 million (11%).

Other notable products included seafood, oilseed meals, fruits, and spices. The top 10 agricultural products collectively accounted for 74% of all the US' agricultural imports from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Source:

United States Department of Agriculture

Period:

2024
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