Market research

Cassava market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Cassava production and market volume in Eastern Africa showed a clear upward trajectory from 2018 to 2023. Initial growth was supported by the promotion of higher-yielding cassava varieties and improved farming practices, particularly in Tanzania and Rwanda where national agricultural transformation strategies aimed to boost productivity. While biotic stresses briefly constrained output in 2019, continued government and research interventions helped stabilize and then increase cultivated area and yields.

A major driver of expansion was significant foreign investment and growing industrial demand. Chinese firms committed over $1 billion to commercialize cassava farming and establish processing parks in Tanzania for flour, starch, and animal feed. Simultaneously, rising demand for cassava starch from the pharmaceutical industry and for gluten-free products created new market outlets, incentivizing production and value addition across the region.

The market's growth was further reinforced by the development of the agro-processing sector in Rwanda and the increasing adoption of cassava in countries like Kenya and Uganda. Government policies promoting crop diversification, alongside efforts to improve post-harvest handling and reduce contamination, enhanced the quality and marketability of cassava, integrating it more deeply into regional food systems and export channels.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cassava in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Cassava production in Eastern Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 35 597 thousand tonnes of cassava, showing virtually no change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 30.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 9.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 37 237 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 4.0%, while the largest rise was seen in 2018, with an increase of 36.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	36.1%	(4.0%)	(0.4%)	9.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cassava from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Cassava exports from Eastern Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 10 119 tonnes of cassava, marking a notable increase of 10.2% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 231.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 49.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	74.7%	72.1%	10.2%	49.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the clear leader in the country structure of cassava exports by volume, accounting for 17.7% of total shipments.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of cassava exports from Eastern Africa reached 5 688 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 43.8% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values grew by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 954 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 25.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.5%	(25.0%)	43.8%	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and France were the primary destinations for cassava exports from Eastern Africa in value terms, together making up 34.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cassava to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, cassava imports into Eastern Africa decreased. In 2020, imports stood at 18 471 tonnes, down by 4.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 52.3%, averaging an annual rise of 15.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 234 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 47.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	47.4%	7.6%	(4.0%)	15.1%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of cassava imports into Eastern Africa totaled 18 585 thousand US dollars, showing a modest improvement of 3.4% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, import values rose by 35.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 897 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 37.6%. The most significant decline was in 2019, with a drop of 4.9%.

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