This article focuses only on African destination markets in China's bulk tomato paste export data. The product scope is tomato paste in containers weighing more than 5kg. For the broader global picture, see our China tomato paste export data review and our article on China tomato paste export destinations.
Africa remained an important destination through both the high-price years and the 2025 correction. The region represented 22.3% of China's bulk tomato paste export volume in Jan-Apr 2026, compared with 18.5% in full-year 2025.
Export Volume to Africa, 2021-2025
Full-year African destination volume moved in a fairly narrow range from 2021 to 2024, then rose to a five-year high in 2025. The 2026 number is shown separately because it covers only January-April.
Africa Volume and Average Unit Value by Year
From 2021 to 2025, China exported approximately 553,000 tons of bulk tomato paste to African destinations. Annual Africa volume stayed near 101,000-110,000 tons from 2021 to 2024, then increased to 123,669 tons in 2025. The latest Jan-Apr 2026 data shows 48,979 tons, with African destinations accounting for 22.3% of China's total export volume in the period.
The average export unit value followed the broader tomato paste price cycle. It rose from US$805/ton in 2021 to US$1,240/ton in 2023, then moved down to US$648/ton in 2025 and US$645/ton in Jan-Apr 2026. The average export unit value fell 47.7% from the 2023 peak to 2025 as the broader market corrected.
| Period | Africa volume | Export value | Avg export unit value | Share of China volume | Distinct destination countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101,578 tons | US$81.8 million | US$805/ton | 19.9% | 21 |
| 2022 | 109,457 tons | US$107.3 million | US$980/ton | 16.5% | 21 |
| 2023 | 110,452 tons | US$137.0 million | US$1,240/ton | 15.2% | 23 |
| 2024 | 107,866 tons | US$111.3 million | US$1,032/ton | 16.1% | 25 |
| 2025 | 123,669 tons | US$80.2 million | US$648/ton | 18.5% | 28 |
| Jan-Apr 2026 | 48,979 tons | US$31.6 million | US$645/ton | 22.3% | 22 |
Top African Buyer Countries, 2021-2025
African demand is concentrated in a core group of countries. Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire together accounted for 84.2% of cumulative African volume from 2021 to 2025.
Which African Countries Matter Most?
Ghana was the largest African destination across 2021-2025, with 155,643 tons, or 28.1% of the five-year African total. Nigeria ranked second with 85,550 tons, while South Africa, Cameroon, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire formed the next tier.
But the rankings shifted within that core group. Nigeria rose from 7,927 tons in 2021 to 24,978 tons in 2025. Cote d'Ivoire also expanded from 3,989 tons to 13,702 tons. Ghana remained the anchor market, but its share of African volume moved from 39.8% in 2021 to 24.7% in 2025, showing that African demand became less dependent on one destination.
| African destination | 2021-2025 volume | Share of Africa volume | 2025 volume | Jan-Apr 2026 volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | 155,643 tons | 28.1% | 30,560 tons | 12,205 tons |
| Nigeria | 85,550 tons | 15.5% | 24,978 tons | 10,005 tons |
| South Africa | 76,648 tons | 13.9% | 12,402 tons | 4,609 tons |
| Cameroon | 59,411 tons | 10.7% | 13,541 tons | 7,141 tons |
| Senegal | 45,908 tons | 8.3% | 10,692 tons | 4,079 tons |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 42,428 tons | 7.7% | 13,702 tons | 4,218 tons |
| Sudan | 31,531 tons | 5.7% | 5,582 tons | 968 tons |
| Egypt | 20,762 tons | 3.8% | 394 tons | 0 tons |
| Guinea | 11,175 tons | 2.0% | 4,131 tons | 2,315 tons |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 6,078 tons | 1.1% | 2,154 tons | 193 tons |
| Angola | 4,491 tons | 0.8% | 1,838 tons | 210 tons |
| Morocco | 2,100 tons | 0.4% | 398 tons | 76 tons |
Latest Update: Jan-Apr 2026 Africa Destinations
The 2026 year-to-date data still shows Ghana and Nigeria at the front, while Cameroon moved ahead of South Africa in the first four months.
What the 2026 Year-to-Date Data Shows
In Jan-Apr 2026, Ghana and Nigeria together represented 45.3% of African destination volume. That is close to their combined 2025 share of 44.9%. Cameroon, South Africa, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal made up another visible block, so African demand remained concentrated across a stable set of countries rather than depending on any single market.
Monthly volume was relatively steady in the first four months of 2026: 12,065 tons in January, 11,357 tons in February, 13,981 tons in March and 11,576 tons in April. The average export unit value stayed near the 2025 level, ranging from US$628/ton to US$677/ton in the four-month period.
| Month | Africa volume | Export value | Avg export unit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01 | 12,065 tons | US$7.65 million | US$634/ton |
| 2026-02 | 11,357 tons | US$7.13 million | US$628/ton |
| 2026-03 | 13,981 tons | US$9.47 million | US$677/ton |
| 2026-04 | 11,576 tons | US$7.36 million | US$636/ton |
How Buyers Should Read the Africa Data
For importers, distributors and food manufacturers, the African data gives several practical signals for procurement planning.
- Africa is a recurring demand base, not a one-off export destination. Buyers focused on West African markets should monitor Ghana and Nigeria because they continue to carry the largest volume.
- The core country group is stable enough for planning, but internal ranking can shift quickly. Cameroon, South Africa, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal are worth monitoring because they can change the short-term buyer mix.
- The lower 2025 and Jan-Apr 2026 average unit value should be read as a market trend signal, not as a direct order price. Buyers still need to confirm the product specification and shipment plan before comparing offers.
Real sourcing decisions still depend on Brix level, color value, processing type, packaging format, destination market, shipment timing, contract terms and supplier reliability. For supply-side context, see why Xinjiang is central to China tomato paste exports.
Buyers sourcing tomato paste for African markets can use this data to identify where demand is active. Once the target market is clear, specifications, packaging, documentation and shipment timing should be confirmed directly with the supplier.
Contact RTM for bulk tomato paste sourcingPrice Interpretation Note
The average export unit value in this article is calculated from China Customs export value divided by export volume. It is used for market trend analysis only and does not represent RTM Tomato's actual quotation, nor the transaction price of any specific supplier, product or contract. Actual tomato paste prices may vary by Brix level, processing type, packaging format, destination market, shipment timing, contract terms and product specification.
Data source: China Customs bulk tomato paste export data. Product scope: tomato paste in containers weighing more than 5kg. 2021-2025 figures are full-year data from the historical destination-country dataset. 2026 figures cover January to April only. Export volume refers to the first quantity in kilograms, converted into metric tons. Export value refers to customs export value in US dollars. Average export unit value is calculated as export value divided by export volume.