Forage products market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, forage products production reached 348.9 thousand tons, with a market size of 298.7 thousand tons valued at 97.8 million dollars. The introduction of the Plant Breeder’s Act strengthened intellectual property rights for new plant varieties, enhancing sector competitiveness, while SAFDA's transformation interventions involving 200 million rand lowered production costs and supported farmers through the establishment of farmer-owned entities.

The market size fell sharply to 155.5 thousand tons in 2019 but then entered a period of consistent growth, reaching 322.3 thousand tons by 2023. In value terms, the market recovered from 48.8 million dollars in 2019 to 114.1 million dollars in 2023, reflecting increased domestic consumption.

By 2024, new regulatory measures came into effect, including the Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act, which governs pest prevention measures for plant and forage product movement, and the ban on registrations of agricultural remedies with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicity properties, aligning with the Globally Harmonized System for chemical classification.

Production forage products in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of forage products, 2017-2020

World map of production of forage products, 2017-2020

In 2020, Africa produced 389.0 thousand tonnes of forage products, representing a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 348.9 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 404.1 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 5.9%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a rise of 15.8%.

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

Exports forage products from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 4.3-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2020, cross-border shipments of forage products from Africa totaled 223.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 13.7% decline compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 60.3 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 258.5 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 24.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 328.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and China were consistently the main destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 62.8%, 9.8%, and 8.0% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Export values changed by 4.9-fold between the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, forage product shipments from Africa to abroad reached 62 246 thousand US dollars, down by 16.0% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 74 120 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 276.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Saudi Arabia were the primary buyers of forage products from Africa in value terms, accounting for 63.1%, 10.7%, and 10.3% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 84.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports forage products to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, imports of foreign forage products into Africa increased. In 2020, imports reached 16.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp rise of 67.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 64.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 10.0 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of forage products to Africa were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Spain, Italy, and France accounted for 21.9%, 2.9%, and 2.2% of imports, respectively, but together they represented only 27.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes varied 2.1 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Africa imported a total of 6 434 thousand US dollars of forage products, showing a measured decline of 9.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 412 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 7 110 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 18.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 108.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for forage products to Africa was broad. Spain, the United States, and Australia accounted for 23.2%, 5.6%, and 5.2% of imports in value terms, respectively, but together they contributed only 34.0% of total imports. Many other countries had smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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