Fonio market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, fonio production in Mali grew by over 50%, from 27.9 thousand t to 44 thousand t. This expansion was supported by a land tenure reform in late 2020 that improved security for agricultural plots, encouraging farmers to plant more fonio. Furthermore, ECOWAS sanctions and political instability in early 2020 reduced grain imports, leading Malian producers to turn to fonio as a reliable staple. The establishment of a national steering committee for agricultural diversification in arid zones in 2019 also helped prioritize fonio within government programs.

Production continued to rise in 2021, reaching 47.7 thousand t, aided by ongoing government subsidies for agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers. The launch of a shea butter processing plant in March 2021 created local industrial capacity that benefited the broader agro-processing sector, including fonio. However, output fell to 37.8 thousand t in 2022. That same year saw significant developments with a $1.9 million co-investment from USAID and Prosper Africa to develop the fonio value chain and an announcement for a new industrial processing plant, setting the stage for future growth.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, with production jumping to 59.1 thousand t. This surge coincided with reported price increases for fonio in major Malian cities, indicating robust local demand. International recognition for the crop grew, exemplified by the UNESCO-supported International Fonio Day in July 2024, which spotlighted global promotion and financing efforts for Malian fonio exports.

Production fonio in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Mali ranked as the world's third-largest producer of fonio.

Top producers of fonio, 2017-2020

World map of production of fonio, 2017-2020

Mali's fonio production increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 44 014 tonnes, which was 8.6% higher than in 2019. However, over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 4.7%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 27 868 tonnes, marking the largest decline of 39.7% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production rising by 45.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mali in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fonio from Mali

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for fonio from Mali showed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 5 900 kg, which represented a 67.5% decline. They then rebounded sharply in 2019 with a 420.1% increase. By 2020, exports peaked at 38 210 kg, showing a robust gain of 24.5% compared to 2019. Overall, there was a 6.5-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mali in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of fonio from Mali were Senegal, accounting for 33.3% of exports in kind, the United States with 29.7%, and Canada with 17.2%. Together, these three countries formed 80.3% of Mali's total fonio exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The value of fonio exports from Mali experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Exports dropped to their minimum in 2018 at 10 565 US dollars, a decline of 73.5%. They then recovered in 2019 with an 80.6% increase. By 2020, export values reached 25 949 US dollars, reflecting a 36.0% year-on-year improvement. Overall, there was a 3.8-fold shift between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading partner for Mali's fonio exports in value terms, accounting for 46.3%, followed by Senegal at 21.5% and France at 15.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 83.0% of Mali's total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports fonio to Mali

Imports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mali in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland was the almost exclusive supplier of fonio to Mali, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Switzerland consistently served as the main source for fonio imports to Mali, absorbing 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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