Share
Natural ProductChapter 15
Complete Guide to Shea Butter Export from Africa
Africa produces over 90% of the world's shea nuts. From cosmetics to food ingredients, master the shea butter value chain and access premium global markets.
$3B+
Global Market
90%+
Africa's Share
16M+
Women Employed
Top African Shea Producers
#1450,000 MT nuts
Nigeria
Largest producer, growing export capacity
#2200,000 MT nuts
Mali
High-quality traditional processing, women cooperatives
#3180,000 MT nuts
Burkina Faso
Premium quality, strong cooperative networks
#4150,000 MT nuts
Ghana
Organized export sector, certified organic production
#5100,000 MT nuts
Côte d'Ivoire
Growing production, integration with cocoa farming
#680,000 MT nuts
Benin
Artisanal processing, growing certified exports
Shea Butter HS Code Classification
| HS Code | Description | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1515.90 | Shea butter (karite butter), crude or refined | Butter |
| 1207.99 | Shea nuts (karite nuts) | Raw Nuts |
| 3304.99 | Shea butter preparations for cosmetic use | Cosmetic |
| 3401.30 | Organic soap containing shea butter | Value-added |
AfCFTA Benefits for Shea Exporters
Women Empowerment
AfCFTA supports women-led shea cooperatives with simplified cross-border trade procedures
Value Chain Integration
Incentives for processing shea into cosmetic-grade butter within Africa before export
Market Access
Elimination of tariffs on shea products traded between AfCFTA member states