Forage products market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The forage products market in Eastern Africa showed variable dynamics from 2018. Kenya's ban on genetically modified products in 2018 stimulated local production of forage crops as an alternative to imported feed ingredients. This contributed to initial growth, which accelerated in 2019 as farmer education and training enhanced adaptation to market conditions and consumer preferences. However, market volume declined in 2020, coinciding with the rise of digital agriculture platforms that transformed market access but may not have fully offset other challenges.

After a modest recovery in 2021, where high production costs and supply chain uncertainties limited expansion, the market surged in 2022. This growth was driven by increasing consumer demand for organic and locally labeled products, which influenced marketing strategies and stimulated production. By 2023, the market stabilized, supported by government policies on subsidized fertilizers and improved access to farm inputs, maintaining production volume around 330 thousand tons.

Production forage products in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of forage products, 2017-2020

World map of production of forage products, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Africa produced 314.8 thousand tons of forage products, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined by 7.2% in 2020 to 292.0 thousand tons. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 262.4 thousand tons. The most significant year-over-year decrease occurred in 2018 with a 9.1% drop, while the largest increase happened in 2019 with a 19.9% rise.

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

Exports forage products from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for forage products from Eastern Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at just 60 tons, representing a 61.8% decline from the previous year. However, exports surged dramatically in 2020 to 333 tons, marking a remarkable 454.2% increase compared to 2019. Overall, export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 5.5-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Switzerland, and Qatar emerged as the primary export partners for Eastern Africa's forage products, collectively accounting for 80.5% of total export volumes. Egypt led with 58.9% of exports, followed by Switzerland at 11.7%, and Qatar at 9.9%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values demonstrated substantial volatility throughout this period. In 2018, exports reached their peak at 194.9 thousand US dollars, but then plummeted by 92.4% in 2019 to just 14.8 thousand US dollars. The market rebounded strongly in 2020 with exports totaling 114.8 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic 677.3% increase from the previous year. Overall, export values showed a 13.2-fold swing between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland and Egypt remained the dominant buyers of forage products from Eastern Africa in value terms, together representing 86.1% of total export revenues. The remaining 13.9% was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports forage products to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for forage products into Eastern Africa displayed notable fluctuations. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 621 tons, reflecting a 32.9% decrease from the previous year. Imports then surged by 160.8% in 2019 before reaching 1 826 tons in 2020, representing a 12.7% increase from 2019. Overall, import levels varied by 2.9 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Australia, and South Africa formed the core suppliers of forage products to Eastern Africa, collectively accounting for 66.7% of total import volumes. Italy led with 46.4% of imports, followed by Australia at 10.7%, and South Africa at 9.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited significant volatility during this period. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 267.9 thousand US dollars, marking a 62.1% decline from the previous year. Values then surged by 141.6% in 2019 before reaching their peak in 2020, though the specific 2020 value isn't provided in the data. Overall, import values showed a 2.9-fold variation between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018, with 2020 imports increasing by 18.3% compared to 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, the United States, and Australia were the primary sources of forage product imports into Eastern Africa in value terms, together accounting for 68.4% of total import expenditures. Italy led with 37.9%, followed by the United States at 20.2%, and Australia at 10.3%.

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

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