Millet market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The millet market in Southern Asia grew from 10 960 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 13 835 thousand tonnes in 2020, primarily due to government support policies such as the declaration of 2018 as the National Year of Millets and the implementation of higher Minimum Support Prices to encourage cultivation.

Market volume dipped to 12 456 thousand tonnes in 2021 as policies favoring wheat and rice reduced production incentives, but recovered to 13 541 thousand tonnes by 2023 following the launch of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products and heightened global awareness during the International Year of Millets, which spurred product innovation and entry of new players.

Production millet in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Millet production in Southern Asia has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 13,830 thousand tonnes of millet, showing a modest year-on-year growth of 4.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.3%, which translates to an average annual increase of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10,937 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 11.2% occurring that same year. In contrast, the most significant increase was seen in 2019, when production jumped by 20.9%.

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

Exports millet from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with the highest volume being 10.4 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, millet shipments from Southern Asia to international markets totaled 10,769 tonnes, representing a substantial increase of 44.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,036 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 20.6%, while the most dramatic increase occurred in 2019 with a surge of 618.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar were consistently the main destinations for millet exports in kind. The UAE accounted for 39.3% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 8.1%, and Qatar for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 50.5% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations throughout the period. Export values varied considerably, with the lowest point in 2018 and the highest in 2020, showing a 6.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, the value of millet exports from Southern Asia reached 3,190 thousand US dollars, marking a 33.3% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 490 thousand US dollars. That year also experienced the largest decline of 18.6%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 388.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar made the most significant contributions to millet exports in value terms. The UAE accounted for 37.8% of export value, Saudi Arabia for 9.5%, and Qatar for 3.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports millet to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Millet imports into Southern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 16,345 tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 23.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 68.1%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier base for millet imports into Southern Asia was quite diverse. Russia, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates were notable contributors, with Russia accounting for 12.5% of imports in kind, Azerbaijan for 10.0%, and the UAE for 3.5%. However, together these three countries represented only 26.0% of total imports, indicating that many other countries held smaller but still significant shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of foreign millet supplies to Southern Asia amounted to 8,800 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decline of 34.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 59.5%, equating to an average annual reduction of 26.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 38.1%, while the most modest increase was recorded in 2019 at just 0.2%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the supplier portfolio for millet imports into Southern Asia in value terms was broad and varied. Russia, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates were key players, with Russia contributing 13.5% of import value, Azerbaijan 12.0%, and the UAE 4.0%. Yet, together these three countries accounted for only 29.5% of total imports, highlighting that numerous other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares in the market.

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

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