Canary seeds market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for canary seeds in Northern Africa showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume rose from 12 211 t in 2018 to a peak of 19 876 t in 2019, then declined to 10 732 t by 2023.

Since domestic production remained stable at around 90 t annually, the fluctuations in market size were primarily driven by changes in import volumes, which ranged from 12 621 t to 23 812 t over the period. This reflects the region's ongoing dependence on grain imports to meet internal demand.

In 2023, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture rolled out subsidies for certified grain seeds and nitrogen fertilizers, with the state-owned company Sonacos playing a central role in seed supply. These measures, coupled with favorable weather conditions, aimed to strengthen the agricultural seed sector, even as market volume contracted due to lower imports.

Production canary seeds in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of canary seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of canary seeds, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's canary seed production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 91 950 kg, showing little change from 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 92 520 kg, which represented a modest 0.1% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports canary seeds from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market displayed significant volatility throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 4 028 t, marking a 700.2% increase. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 2 120 t, representing a 47.4% decline from the previous year. The gap between the 2017 low and 2019 high was 17-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Syria, Turkey, and Pakistan were the primary markets for canary seed exports from Northern Africa. Syria accounted for 6.7% of exports, Turkey for 3.4%, and Pakistan for 1.2%, collectively representing 11.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019 at 2 594 K $ US, which was an 80.3% increase from 2018. In 2020, export value fell to 1 477 K $ US, a 43.0% decrease year-over-year. The difference between the 2017 low and 2019 high was threefold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria, Turkey, and Pakistan emerged as key markets for Northern Africa's canary seed exports in value terms. Syria contributed 6.9% of export value, Turkey 3.1%, and Pakistan 1.3%, together accounting for 11.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports canary seeds to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 621 t, followed by a peak in 2019 at 23 812 t, representing an 88.7% increase. In 2020, imports declined to 19 249 t, a 19.2% drop from the previous year. The difference between the 2018 low and 2019 high was 1.9-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada dominated Northern Africa's canary seed imports, accounting for 72.5% of total import volume. Other countries contributed relatively small shares to the import structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values demonstrated significant volatility during these years. The lowest value was in 2018 at 7 111 K $ US, followed by a high in 2019 at 13 183 K $ US, an 85.4% increase. In 2020, import value decreased to 11 513 K $ US, down 12.7% from 2019. The gap between the 2018 low and 2019 high was 1.9-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Canada held a dominant position in Northern Africa's canary seed imports by value, representing 72.7% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020