Côte d'Ivoire boosts shea processing

Côte d'Ivoire has been increasing its local processing of shea butter, a key product in the global market, to reduce reliance on exports of raw materials and build industrial capacity. The government has implemented policies since 2025 to retain more raw materials within the country and develop local transformation capabilities.

New shea processing unit opened

On Monday, October 12, Bruno Koné, the Minister of Agriculture, inaugurated a new shea butter processing unit called BETA VEG OIL in Kongodékro, near Bouaké. The facility, which began construction in January 2025, is expected to invest 10 billion CFA francs (17 million USD) and process 70,000 tonnes of raw materials annually, including shea and soy.

Existing processing capacity underused

The Council of Cotton, Cashew, and Shea (CCAK) noted that Côte d'Ivoire already has about twenty shea processing units, with a total installed capacity of around 130,000 tonnes of kernels per year. However, this capacity is largely underutilized, with only about 40 percent of it being used in the 2025/2026 campaign.

Government targets higher shea output

Authorities aim to increase the volume of shea kernels processed locally by 16 percent, from 51,697 tonnes in the 2025/2026 campaign to 60,000 tonnes in the 2026/2027 campaign. This goal was announced during the launch of the new campaign in August and reported by local media.

Restrictions on raw material exports

To support local processing, the government has banned the export of shea nuts and kernels through land borders since January 2025. The CCAK also announced that purchases from collectors would be reserved for processing units, aiming to control supply chains and prioritize local industrial needs.

Shea butter exports continue

Despite these local efforts, Côte d'Ivoire still exported 14,078 tonnes of shea butter to 13 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas during the 2025/2026 campaign. These exports show the existing demand for Ivorian shea products, but the focus now is on boosting local transformation and sales.