Shea trees grow only in Africa's shea belt spanning 21 countries from Senegal to Uganda. Ghana and Burkina Faso together export 200,000 to 250,000 tonnes of shea nuts and butter annually to cosmetics and confectionery manufacturers globally. The global market reached $2.8 billion in 2023 and is growing at 8 to 10 percent annually, driven by premium moisturising ingredient demand in personal care products and cocoa butter equivalent applications in chocolate. Despite this volume, 60 to 70 percent of final product value is captured in European and North American refining operations.
The Processing Opportunity
Ghana Nuts Company and Savannah Fruits Company now export refined and filtered shea butter to EU and US cosmetic manufacturers, capturing more value than raw nut exporters. Fair trade, organic, and Rainforest Alliance certifications command significant price premiums. Shea is notable as an industry where women dominate collection, processing, and trading, making certified supply chains particularly effective vehicles for female economic empowerment. Shea butter buyers and processors can access supplier networks on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.