In 2023, Africa produced about 3.87 million tonnes of apples, with South Africa leading at 32.5 percent of total output. Egypt followed with 24.2 percent, Morocco with 23.3 percent, and Algeria with 15.6 percent. Together, these four countries accounted for more than 95 percent of all apples grown on the continent. The other African countries, particularly in West and Central Africa, contributed little or nothing to this total.
At the same time, consumption grew fastest in countries that did not produce apples. Nigeria, for example, imported over 44,700 tonnes in 2023 to meet rising demand. Climate challenges, limited expertise, weak infrastructure, and low investment have prevented large-scale apple farming in the country. Given rising demand, exploring the viability of such alternatives may be key to reducing dependence on imports and building local capacity.
