The Shea Butter Industry in Africa

Shea butter is a top-rated product worldwide; it is used in both food and cosmetics. It is mainly known for its use in body, hair, face, and digestive system health. All these aspects make it a very highly demanded product on the international market. A third of the production is exported because the local demand is very high. It is, therefore, a product with very high potential. 

In addition to being a typical product of West, Central, and Eastern Africa, shea butter stands out from other raw materials produced on the continent by the fact that the majority of actors involved in the harvest of the nuts and the extraction of the precious butter are women. This particularity justifies its title of "Women's Gold." According to the Global Shea Alliance, more than 15 million women in rural areas are involved in shea butter extraction. In Burkina Faso, one of the central producing countries, 92% of workers in the sector are women. This trend is confirmed in the other producing countries, with 94% in Ghana and 95% in Côte d'Ivoire. 

These women are involved in the main stages of a relatively manual, traditional process. The almond is shelled by hand and then crushed, roasted, ground to a thick paste which, mixed with water, will be vigorously churned. Immersion in boiling water will separate the butter from the other components of the kernel. 

However, the international market remains dominated by men and especially by multinationals who unfortunately do not guarantee to these women an income proportional to the profits generated by the shea industry. Many of these women live in precarious conditions. A situation against which several local associations are trying to fight. Hopefully, their fight will bear fruit. 

And this is where Export Portal comes in: our comprehensive international trade platform would make it easy for shea butter producers to connect with verified global buyers. Register today to join our secure marketplace!