Ivory Coast: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $142 million. The ten largest product groups made up 46.7% of that total, led by Cement; Hot-Rolled Iron Bars; Baked Goods.

Ivory Coast: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, France, Nigeria. The three largest export partners are The Netherlands, USA, France.

Ivory Coast: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Crude Petroleum; Rice; Frozen-Fish. The three largest export products are Cocoa Bean; Cocoa Paste; Rubber.

Ivory Coast: how big is the economy?

Population 24 million, GDP $40 billion, and $1,662 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.492.

Ivory Coast: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is +$1.96B in net exports.

Ivory Coast: which ports handle goods from Turkey?

The main ports are Abidjan, San-Pédro.

Ivory Coast: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Regulated products with an FOB value of EUR 1,525 or more need a Certificate of Conformity under the national Verification of Conformity (VoC) programme. Sea shipments need an electronic cargo tracking note (BSC).

Ivory Coast: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is located in the West Africa and it is bordered by Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana. Ivory Coast’s population is 24 million and its GDP is $40 Billion.

Ivory Coast gained independence from France in 1960. French is the official language, however there are 78 spoken local languages in Ivory Coast. Its capital city is Yamoussoukro. Its largest and commercial city is Abidjan and its population is around 4.5 million.

Ivory Coast’s main import partner is China with 20% of total imports. China is followed by France and Nigeria. The economy of Ivory Coast relies on agricultural and food products. Around 70% of all exports is related with the food sector. Ivory Coast is also one of the leading rubber producers.

The first Turkish Embassy in Abidjan was opened in 2009, however the diplomatic relations were established in 1964 thanks to the embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Turkish exports to Ivory Coast increased significantly in the last 10 years from $47 Million to $142 Million. The exports are concentrated in the construction materials and food sector. Ivory Coast is an important country for food producers thanks to their production of cocoa beans, coconuts and cashews.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Ivory Coast with Turkey.

Four charts for Ivory Coast. Population rises from about 17 million in 2000 to 24 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$10 billion to US$40 billion. Total exports stay above imports throughout, around US$10 to US$15 billion against US$7 to US$13 billion. Exports to Turkey rise from about US$110 million to US$290 million, consistently above imports from Turkey.

Turkey's exports to Ivory Coast in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Yamoussoukro
Official language: French
Population: 24 million
GDP: $40 billion
GDP per capita: $1,662
Human Development Index: 0.492

Top 3 import partners: China, France, Nigeria
Top 3 export partners: The Netherlands, USA, France
Top 3 import products: Crude Petroleum, Rice, Frozen-Fish
Top 3 export products: Cocoa Bean, Cocoa Paste, Rubber
Trade balance: +$1.96B in net exports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Ivory Coast: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Main ports: Abidjan, San-Pédro
Currency: West African CFA franc (pegged to the euro) (XOF)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, ECOWAS, WAEMU
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Ivory Coast

Regulated products with an FOB value of EUR 1,525 or more need a Certificate of Conformity under the national Verification of Conformity (VoC) programme.
Sea shipments need an electronic cargo tracking note (BSC).

The CFA franc's peg to the euro makes euro-denominated contracts simple to price.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$47 million

Top 10 products account for 63.7% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Cereal Meal and Pellets	13.6%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	13.6%
Iron Blocks	9.9%
Rubber Tires	7.6%
Pure Olive Oil	5.4%
Raw Iron Bars	3.7%
Yeast	3.1%
Petroleum Jelly	2.3%
Baked Goods	2.2%
Hot-Rolled Iron	2.2%

2017

$142 million

Top 10 products account for 46.7% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Cement	13.1%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	5.6%
Baked Goods	4.8%
Iron Blocks	4.2%
Pure Olive Oil	3.7%
Prefabricated Buildings	3.7%
Yeast	3.3%
Toilet Paper	3.1%
Iron Structures	2.8%
Non-woven Textiles	2.4%

Frequently asked questions

Ivory Coast: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $142 million. The ten largest product groups made up 46.7% of that total, led by Cement; Hot-Rolled Iron Bars; Baked Goods.
Ivory Coast: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, France, Nigeria. The three largest export partners are The Netherlands, USA, France.
Ivory Coast: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Crude Petroleum; Rice; Frozen-Fish. The three largest export products are Cocoa Bean; Cocoa Paste; Rubber.
Ivory Coast: how big is the economy?: Population 24 million, GDP $40 billion, and $1,662 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.492.
Ivory Coast: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is +$1.96B in net exports.
Ivory Coast: which ports handle goods from Turkey?: The main ports are Abidjan, San-Pédro.
Ivory Coast: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Regulated products with an FOB value of EUR 1,525 or more need a Certificate of Conformity under the national Verification of Conformity (VoC) programme. Sea shipments need an electronic cargo tracking note (BSC).
Ivory Coast: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

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Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets