Oils & Fats ELEVATED WE SUPPLY THIS

Shea Butter

Shea trees are resilient to moderate drought but prolonged dry spells reduce nut yields. El Nino years tend to produce smaller nuts with lower butter content.

Current Price

$2,800

per MT

+8.2% (30d)

Projected

$3,000 - $3,500 within 3 months

Growing Regions

Click a region for details. Circles colored by risk level, sized by production significance.

Origin Comparison

Origin	Production	Quality Notes	Price Range	Key Advantage
Ghana OUR ORIGIN	170,000 MT nuts/yr	Highest quality butter, best processing standards	$2,500 - $5,000/MT	Gold standard quality, organic certified cooperatives
Burkina Faso	180,000 MT nuts/yr	Largest raw nut volume, variable processing	$2,200 - $3,800/MT	Lowest cost raw nuts, largest volume
Nigeria	400,000 MT nuts/yr	Largest total production, mixed quality	$2,000 - $3,500/MT	Cost-effective, huge supply base
Mali	100,000 MT nuts/yr	Good quality, growing organic sector	$2,300 - $4,000/MT	Organic potential, underexploited

Seasonal Calendar

Good time to buy Neutral Peak prices / low supply

Jan

buy

Export peak, butter available

Feb

buy

Export season continues

Mar

buy

Export season, stocks good

Apr

neutral

Pre-harvest, stocks declining

May

neutral

Fruit drop begins in south

Jun

wait

Fruit collection peak

Jul

wait

Collection and drying

Aug

wait

Nut processing begins

Sep

neutral

Processing continues

Oct

neutral

Processing, new butter arriving

Nov

buy

New season butter ready

Dec

buy

Export season opens

Price Drivers

Annual wild harvest is weather-dependent with no irrigation or cultivation possible

Cosmetics industry demand growing 7-9% annually (natural/organic trend)

Food industry demand as cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) in confectionery

Processing capacity expansion in origin countries competing for raw nuts

Export restrictions or policy changes in producing countries

Organic certification premiums at 30-40% over conventional

Seasonal supply concentration creates annual price cycles

Supply Outlook

The 2025 shea harvest was below average in parts of Ghana and Burkina Faso due to irregular rainfall patterns. This is supporting firm prices heading into 2026. Nigeria's production remains robust but quality consistency varies by processor.

Demand from European and North American cosmetics brands continues to grow strongly, particularly for certified organic and fair trade butter. The CBE market in confectionery provides a solid price floor.

For 2026, we expect prices to remain elevated through Q2 until the new harvest arrives. Buyers needing large volumes should consider forward contracts now. Ghana-origin butter will continue to command the highest premiums due to superior processing standards.

Best Time to Buy

Best prices January-March after harvest processing completes. Unrefined butter is cheapest August-October when new harvest arrives. Plan purchases 2-3 months ahead of need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between refined and unrefined shea butter?

Unrefined (raw) shea butter retains its natural yellow color, nutty scent, and full nutrient profile including vitamins A, E, and F. Refined shea is bleached and deodorized, resulting in a white, odorless product preferred by cosmetics manufacturers for formulation consistency. Unrefined is valued for natural skincare; refined is used in commercial cosmetics and food.

Can you supply organic certified shea butter?

Yes. We work with COSMOS and ECOCERT certified cooperatives in Northern Ghana. Our organic shea butter carries full chain-of-custody certification from wild-harvested nuts through processing and export. MOQ for organic is 1 FCL (18-20 MT). Lead time is 4-6 weeks.

What certifications do your shea butter cooperatives hold?

Our partner cooperatives in Ghana hold COSMOS Organic, ECOCERT, USDA Organic (through equivalency), Fair Trade, and ISO 22000 food safety certifications. We can also supply conventionally produced shea butter with phytosanitary certificates and COA (Certificate of Analysis) for every shipment.

We Supply Shea Butter

Get a Competitive Quote

Origin Direct sources shea butter directly from producers in our network. We handle logistics, quality control, and documentation from origin to your warehouse.

Direct from verified producers
Full traceability and documentation
Quality inspection before shipment
CIF/FOB delivery worldwide

Explore Other Commodities

Cocoa Cashew Nuts Sesame Seeds Hookah Charcoal Hibiscus Ginger Turmeric Moringa Castor Oil

Back to full intelligence dashboard →