Côte d’Ivoire announces new mango export campaign for 2025
The country’s mango industry aims for stability while pushing for more investment in processing.
COTE D’VOIRE – Côte d’Ivoire’s mango export season will officially begin on March 31, 2025, according to the Board of Directors of the Interprofession of the Mango Sector (Inter-Mangue).
The Ivorian Press Agency (AIP) confirmed the date on March 16, with the minimum purchase price of a box of mangoes remaining at 2,450 CFA francs (US$4.07), the same as last year. Forecasts for harvest and export figures have not yet been shared.
The West African nation exported over 40,000 tonnes of mangoes in 2024, its highest volume on record, according to CIRAD’s tropical fruit magazine, Fruitrop. Côte d’Ivoire is the region’s largest mango exporter and ranks third in West Africa behind Nigeria and Guinea.
While mango exports generate significant revenue, the processing industry remains underdeveloped.
The Agricultural Value Chain Development Support Programme (PADFA) is working to attract 14 billion CFA francs (US$22.5 million) from private investors to fund a mango processing facility in northern Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement was made during a national workshop on December 10.
According to the Ivorian Press Agency, the funds will finance an agro-industrial plant dedicated to mango processing. However, details on the plant’s location and production capacity are yet to be disclosed.
Edja Messou, coordinator of PADFA, emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “The initiative should contribute to improving the creation of added value through the strengthening of processing capacity within a local industry that is still in its infancy.”
Currently, less than 2% of the country’s mango production—estimated at 150,000 tonnes annually—is processed. Most mangoes are exported fresh, while processing activities focus on juice and dried mango production.
Boosting local processing to reduce losses
The reliance on fresh fruit exports means a significant portion of mangoes never reach consumers. According to PADFA, up to 40% of Ivorian mango production is lost post-harvest.
Increasing processing capacity could help reduce these losses and create more economic opportunities within the country.
The General Directorate of Customs reported that in 2023, Côte d’Ivoire exported 49,544 tonnes of mangoes, valued at more than 17 billion CFA francs ($27.3 million).
By strengthening local processing facilities, the country could capture more value from its mango sector while addressing waste and inefficiencies.
The upcoming export season and investment efforts in processing signal ongoing efforts to solidify Côte d’Ivoire’s position in the mango market. As discussions continue, industry stakeholders remain focused on securing long-term growth and profitability.
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