Côte d'Ivoire, one of West Africa's largest economies, is increasingly becoming an important hub in international trade. As the country continues to evolve and strengthen its role in global commerce, understanding its import trends is essential for businesses, policymakers, and trade professionals. The January 2025 customs data provides valuable insights into the import dynamics of Côte d'Ivoire, revealing key trends and the performance of major products. In this article, we explore the latest import data, the top goods entering the Ivorian market, and the critical role that countries like China play in these imports.

This analysis draws on the latest customs data to highlight significant shifts in the country's imports, key buyers, suppliers, and trade relationships. By reviewing the statistics and trends, this article aims to offer a comprehensive overview of Côte d'Ivoire's import activities and provide valuable insights for businesses looking to expand into this growing market.

Overview of Côte d'Ivoire's January 2025 Import Data

Côte d'Ivoire's import data for January 2025 reflects both steady growth and some fluctuations in key areas. Let’s break down the essential figures:

• Total Import Data Entries:
  The total number of import entries recorded in January 2025 was 64,764, representing a 9.1% decrease from 71,239 in December 2024. However, compared to January 2024, there was a 5.1% increase, indicating that despite the drop from the prior month, the market is growing year-on-year.

• Total Import Value:
  The total value of imports in January 2025 stood at $3,008,550,570, a decrease of $400,923,528 compared to December 2024 (a 11.8% drop). However, there was a 3.97% increase when compared to January 2024, which amounted to $2,893,935,477. This suggests that while the import value has dropped from the previous month, the Ivorian economy still showed growth in imports year-over-year.

• Importers’ Activity:
  The number of active importers in January 2025 was 2,576, a decline of 6.6% from 2,758 in December 2024. However, there was an increase of 98 importers when compared to the same period last year, demonstrating consistent growth in the number of businesses engaged in importing.

• Suppliers’ Activity:
  The number of active suppliers dropped to 9,491 in January 2025 from 10,363 in December 2024, marking an 8.4% decrease. This may indicate some volatility in the supply chain, but it is important to note that this figure represents a 100% increase from January 2024, showing significant growth in the number of suppliers compared to the same period last year.

These statistics give us a clear picture of Côte d'Ivoire's import performance, revealing some short-term fluctuations but also showing positive year-on-year growth, particularly in the number of active importers and suppliers.

Côte d'Ivoire's Top Imported Goods

The following analysis examines the top five imported products based on the HS codes for January 2025. Each of these goods plays a critical role in the country’s import activities, reflecting the demand for raw materials, energy sources, and consumer goods.

1. HS Code 271012 - Petroleum Oils and Oils Obtained from Bituminous Minerals (Other than Crude)

• Import Value (January 2025): $708,708,875
• Monthly Comparison: $664,023,080 (Increase of $44,685,795, +6.73%)
• Year-on-Year Comparison: $836,892,488 (Decrease of $128,183,613, -15.3%)

This category remains one of the largest imports into Côte d'Ivoire, essential for the country's energy needs. However, the year-on-year decline indicates a potential shift in energy strategies. Notable importers include:

• GESTOCI-STE DE GESTION: gestoci.ci - Import Value: $334,170,101
• PETROCI HOLDING: petroci.ci - Import Value: $190,528,218
• SOCIETE IVOIRIENNE RAFFINAGE (SIR): sir.ci - Import Value: $77,783,273

2. HS Code 271019 - Petroleum Oils and Oils from Bituminous Minerals (Crude)

• Import Value (January 2025): $603,599,394
• Monthly Comparison: $707,231,377 (Decrease of $103,631,983, -14.6%)
• Year-on-Year Comparison: $711,456,687 (Decrease of $107,857,293, -15.2%)

The import value of crude petroleum dropped significantly compared to December 2024, possibly due to price fluctuations or changes in energy demands.

3. HS Code 270900 - Coal, Briquettes, Ovoids, and Similar Solid Fuels

• Import Value (January 2025): $296,648,479
• Monthly Comparison: $161,005,445 (Increase of $135,643,034, +84.3%)
• Year-on-Year Comparison: $190,666,695 (Increase of $105,981,784, +55.6%)

The sharp increase in coal imports suggests heightened demand for energy production or industrial usage in Côte d'Ivoire.

4. HS Code 100630 - Semi-Milled or Milled Rice

• Import Value (January 2025): $108,897,589
• Monthly Comparison: $125,396,206 (Decrease of $16,498,617, -13.2%)
• Year-on-Year Comparison: $83,482,037 (Increase of $25,415,552, +30.4%)

Rice imports are essential for food security in Côte d'Ivoire. The year-on-year increase highlights a growing demand for rice in the Ivorian market. Leading importers include:

• STE DE DISTRIBUTION DE TOUTE M: pratik-ci.com - Import Value: $64,180,729
• MOI FOODS IVORY COAST LIMITED: moifoods.com - Import Value: $3,846,204
• ETS KOUMA ET FRERES: etskoumaetfreres.wixsite.com - Import Value: $3,560,482

5. HS Code 271113 - Natural Gas

• Import Value (January 2025): $39,217,841
• Monthly Comparison: $56,241,552 (Decrease of $17,023,711, -30.2%)
• Year-on-Year Comparison: $48,431,834 (Decrease of $9,213,993, -19%)

The decrease in natural gas imports could reflect global price trends and a shift toward alternative energy sources or changes in supply contracts.

Key Ivorian Importers of Major Goods

For key imported products, several major buyers play a vital role in driving the demand for specific goods in Côte d'Ivoire. Here are some of the leading importers based on the top product categories:

• GESTOCI-STE DE GESTION (HS Code 271012): Import Value: $334,170,101
  Website: gestoci.ci

• PETROCI HOLDING (HS Code 271012): Import Value: $190,528,218
  Website: petroci.ci

• STE DE DISTRIBUTION DE TOUTE M (HS Code 100630): Import Value: $64,180,729
  Website: pratik-ci.com

Côte d'Ivoire's Imports from China

China remains a key supplier to Côte d'Ivoire, with a diverse range of goods making their way into the Ivorian market. Top imports from China include HS Code 100630 (Rice) and HS Code 380893 (Insecticides), among others. In January 2025, Côte d'Ivoire imported $250,874,305 worth of goods from China. This represents a slight decline from $266,348,271 in December 2024, but still shows a robust import relationship with China.

Conclusion

The January 2025 import data for Côte d'Ivoire highlights an evolving trade landscape, with fluctuations in certain sectors but overall growth compared to last year. The country continues to rely on key imports such as petroleum products, coal, rice, and natural gas, while also deepening its trade relationships with countries like China. By analyzing these trends, businesses and trade professionals can gain valuable insights into market shifts and plan strategies for engaging with Côte d'Ivoire's growing import market.