Forage products market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The forage products market in Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume surged by 22.6% in 2019 to 324.1 thousand tons before contracting by 14.5% in 2020. The decline continued into 2021, with a 4.7% drop to 264.2 thousand tons, a period marked by electricity supply issues in rural areas that hindered food preservation equipment acquisition and indirectly disrupted the forage supply chain.

A recovery commenced in 2022, with market volume growing 15.4% to 304.9 thousand tons, and further expanded by 10.4% in 2023 to reach 336.5 thousand tons. The growth in 2023 was facilitated by the rapid expansion of e-commerce in the region, which improved distribution channels for agricultural products. In 2024, while full market volume data is pending, rising import and export volumes signal ongoing activity, supported by developments such as stable nitrogen fertilizer production in South Africa and the continental adoption of an AI strategy aimed at enhancing agricultural advisory services.

Production forage products in Sub-Saharan 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, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 316.4 thousand tons of forage products, marking a modest decline of 4.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 275.8 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 332.2 thousand tons. The most significant decrease was observed in 2018, dropping by 7.6%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2019, rising by 20.5%.

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

Exports forage products from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Forage product exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 50 536 tons, up by 239.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 658.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 96.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the buyer portfolio for forage products from Sub-Saharan Africa was diverse. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 24.4% of exports in kind, China for 14.5%, and Kuwait for 3.6%, together contributing only 42.5% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but still notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Forage product exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 14 041 thousand US dollars, increasing by 23.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 556.8%, representing an annualized rate of 87.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Kuwait formed the core of exports in value terms, with shares of 31.8%, 19.1%, and 5.2%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 56.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports forage products to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 412 tons, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.3 times. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported approximately 11 373 tons of forage products, which is 67.5% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 30.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 98.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, forage products were supplied to Sub-Saharan Africa from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Morocco, Italy, and Australia—together represented only 10.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated 3.7 times between the low of 2018 and the high of 2019. In 2020, the volume of forage product imports into Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 4 612 thousand US dollars, indicating a notable decline of 23.5% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 627 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 6 029 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 270.6%.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms was fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Australia accounted for 7.6% of imports, Italy for 7.0%, and the United States for 3.5%, together making up only 18.1% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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