Cote d'Ivoire: Retail Foods Annual

Côte d’Ivoire’s retail food industry is on an upward trajectory; it is a major importer of food products and ingredients. Food imports will grow in the near- to medium-term since the retail food industry is unable to meet demand through domestic food manufactures alone. In 2023, imports of food products hit $845 million, up 7 percent from $791 million in 2022. Côte d’Ivoire is the gateway and central hub for the West African regional market; also its growing middle-class (with preferences for both local and foreign taste sensations) and improving standard of living offer exciting opportunities. Growing purchasing power of Ivorian households, greater awareness and access to gourmet products, and consumer taste for international cuisines and food products act as growth catalysts in the sector. The fast growing food retail industry benefits from expanding urbanization and a growing middle-class. Ivorian consumers’ demand for quality food imports is resilient despite inflation and the high cost of living.