Africa’s Agricultural Trade: Recent Trends Leading up to the African Continental Free Trade Area

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) began operating on January 1, 2021, and when fully implemented will be among the largest free trade areas in the world. This free trade area could, particularly, influence African agricultural trade as growth in member economies could increase the demand for agricultural products—offering expanding opportunities for agriculture and agribusiness growth in the region. This report examines past and emerging trends in Africa’s sources and destinations of agricultural commodities traded. Particular attention is given to the changing patterns of agricultural trade from within and outside the continent, including within existing free trade area