Market research

Millet market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, millet market volume in Eastern Africa grew from 1 786 thousand tonnes to a peak of 2 002 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by the adoption of improved seeds and better farming techniques, which increased yields, and by rising consumer demand fueled by awareness of millet's health benefits. Initiatives such as Unilever's 'The Great Millet Quest' competition encouraged product innovation and market entry by new players.

Market volume contracted to 1 912 thousand tonnes in 2021 as challenges in market access, processing infrastructure, and price stability constrained growth. The decline continued into 2022, with volume falling to 1 688 thousand tonnes.

In 2023, production recovered to 1 837 thousand tonnes, supported by the crop's growing economic importance—evidenced by rising production value—and sustained consumer demand driven by health consciousness, urbanization, and ongoing product innovation.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production millet in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Eastern Africa's millet production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 997 K t of millet, representing a 3.4% year-over-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 786 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 8.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.8%)	8.1%	3.4%	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Africa's millet output was valued at 1 527 M $ US, showing a strong 22.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 27.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.9%	(5.8%)	22.5%	8.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports millet from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2018, export volumes showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 9.6 times. In 2020, millet exports from Eastern Africa totaled 2 069 t, marking a 10.8% decrease compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 470 t, which also saw the largest decline of 89.6%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the most substantial increase at 394.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(89.6%)	394.1%	(10.8%)	(23.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—South Africa, Israel, and Namibia—collectively accounted for 4.8% of Eastern Africa's total millet exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From the peak in 2017 to the low in 2018, export values varied by 8.5 times. In 2020, millet exports from Eastern Africa reached 1 582 K $ US, reflecting a moderate 5.6% year-over-year increase. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 348 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 88.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 330.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(88.3%)	330.6%	5.6%	(18.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Africa's millet exports in value terms were widely distributed across partner countries. Israel (4.7% of export value), Namibia (4.3%), and the United States (3.7%) together represented only 12.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports millet to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From a low in 2018 to a high in 2020, import volumes varied by 20 times. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported a total of millet, reflecting a sharp 712.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 359 t, which also saw the largest decline of 12.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.3%)	140.9%	712.9%	158.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and India were notable suppliers of millet to Eastern Africa, jointly accounting for 9.6% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. From a low in 2018 to a peak in 2020, import values showed a 20-fold difference. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 4 157 K $ US of millet, representing a 683.4% increase year-over-year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 206 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 13.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.8%)	157.1%	683.4%	158.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (10.8% of import value), India (3.8%), and China (1.5%) were the principal sources for Eastern Africa's millet imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 16.1% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io