Millet market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian millet market volume grew from 13 825 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 17 036 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by policy initiatives in India, which declared 2018 the National Year of Millets and rebranded millets as 'Nutri-cereals,' integrating them into national nutrition missions. Government subsidies, minimum support prices, and support for high-yielding varieties encouraged farmers to increase cultivation. Concurrently, growing global consumer awareness of millets' health benefits and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted demand toward immunity-boosting foods, further supported market growth.

After a dip to 15 928 thousand tonnes in 2021, attributed to persistent cultivation challenges like low yields and labor-intensive processing, the market recovered to 16 733 thousand tonnes by 2023. The recovery was spurred by the United Nations declaring 2023 the International Year of Millets, which led to enhanced government programs in India, such as embedding millets into the Public Distribution System and launching the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products. The period also saw the entry of new players like the funded startup Troo Good and the launch of numerous millet-based products by major food companies, which stimulated both supply and demand.

Production millet in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Asia's millet production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 16 868 thousand tonnes of millet, marking a 3.6% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 681 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 10.5%. Conversely, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 19.0%.

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

Exports millet from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for millet from Asia showed an unstable trend over the observed period. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 14.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 27.5%. In contrast, exports peaked in 2019 at 27.3 thousand tonnes, representing the highest increase of 89.3%. This resulted in a 1.9-fold difference between the minimum and maximum years. In 2020, exports reached 25.2 thousand tonnes, a moderate decrease of 7.7% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for millet in kind was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 2.3% of exports, Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 2.1%, and Libya for 1.7%, together making up just 6.1% of total flows. The remaining 93.9% was distributed among numerous other countries, indicating a broad market base with no single dominant player.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Millet exports from Asia in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 26.2 million US dollars, showing a significant rise of 27.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 91.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13.3 million US dollars, which saw a slight decline of 2.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 53.8%.

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

The structure of millet exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Germany held 7.4% of exports, Asia (not elsewhere specified) 2.3%, and the Netherlands 2.1%, together accounting for just 11.8% of total flows. No single country dominated the market, reflecting a balanced distribution among many participants.

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

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

Imports millet to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's millet imports in kind have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 192.9 thousand tonnes, representing a 15.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest import level was in 2018 at 157.8 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 20.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the leading destination for millet imports in kind, accounting for 34.5% of the total. Russia followed with 11.6%, and Ukraine with 5.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 51.4% of total import flows, highlighting their key roles in Asia's millet import market.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's millet imports in value terms have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 100.8 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 8.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 75.6 million US dollars, which saw a small decline of 2.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 22.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the main supplier of millet to Asia in value terms, accounting for 36.8% of imports. Russia contributed 8.5%, and Ukraine 4.7%. Together, these three countries made up 50.1% of total import value, underscoring their significant share in Asia's millet import market.

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

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