Millet market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Ethiopia's millet market volume expanded consistently, driven by government policies promoting market liberalization and import substitution, which included expanded irrigation and improved agricultural practices. The entry of private agro-processors added value and supported production growth. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the government's Franco Valuta scheme, allowing duty-free imports of essential foods, helped maintain market stability.

Market volume stabilized in 2021 as the government discontinued the Franco Valuta scheme and tightened import authorizations, coinciding with currency depreciation that raised grain prices. A sharp decline followed in 2022, primarily due to persistent drought stress and limited access to improved seed varieties, even though climate investment funds were approved for long-term landscape restoration.

Recovery emerged in 2023, with market volume rising again as government and development partners increased investments in sustainable agriculture and agroecology strategies. Concurrently, growing consumer demand for gluten-free and nutritious millet products encouraged production and market expansion.

Production millet in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of millet.

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's millet production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 219 thousand tonnes of millet, marking a modest increase of 8.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

Exports millet from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Ethiopia's millet exports fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 58 tonnes of millet, showing a sharp decline of 46.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 99.4%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 81.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the dominant destination for Ethiopia's millet exports, accounting for 95.7% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's millet export revenues declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 61 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 45.0% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, export revenues fell by 97.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -71.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya led Ethiopia's millet exports in value terms, holding an 86.8% share of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports millet to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 1 tonne of millet, representing a significant drop of 46.4% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 tonne. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 110.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was nearly the sole supplier of millet to Ethiopia, making up 99.7% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Import values varied 2.6 times from the high in 2017 to the low in 2018. In 2020, Ethiopia's millet imports totaled 5 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 thousand US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 61.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 108.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ethiopia's millet imports in value terms were highly concentrated on China, which accounted for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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