COVID-19: Africa may lose $4.8 billion in crop exports

By Adebayo Obajemu

The Coronavirus pandemic has created large scale disruption to businesses and the international economy.

Africa stands to lose $4.8 billion as a result of the disruptions caused by cancelled flights as well as the closure of many factories in Europe.

This development has led to limited exportation of crops.

It should be noted that the aviation sector is one of the vital sectors that form the backbone of many economies in Africa, accounting for as much as 23% in GDP, it also accounts for the jobs of as much as 60% of economically active people in the sub-Saharan part of the continent.

Only the exports from the continent are worth between $35 billion and $40 billion every year.

In a similar vein, the loss of between $500 million and $2 billion in the exportation of fruit, vegetables, and cocoa nuts exports could be reduced by as much as $2 billion owing to the fall in demand for chocolate as well as a decline in general prices loss of almost $200 million in exports of coffee, which supports 6.6 million jobs primarily in East Africa between $400 million and $600 million in revenue from flower exports could also be lost.