Millet market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The millet market in Western Africa experienced considerable fluctuations in volume from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 10 273 thousand tonnes in 2018, the market contracted to 9 511 thousand tonnes in 2019. A sharp decline to 7 936 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021, a movement closely tied to the region's strong dependence on climatic conditions, where droughts and floods significantly affect local production and availability. The market rebounded to 10 093 thousand tonnes in 2022 as these conditions improved. Underlying this volatility, a long-term shift in consumer habits persisted, with urbanization driving more purchases on the market rather than reliance on subsistence farming.

In 2023, the market volume decreased to 9 481 thousand tonnes. This reduction was influenced by a noted decline in urban consumption for millet and the broader geopolitical challenges, including the war in Ukraine, which compounded existing food security concerns. Intra-regional trade flows, consistently shaped by disparities in national trade policies, continued to structure the market, while the International Year of Millet highlighted the crop's strategic importance amidst these pressures.

Production millet in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Western Africa produced 10,113 thousand tonnes of millet in 2020, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest production level was achieved in 2018 at 10,271 thousand tonnes. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 7.4%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 12.3% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, millet production in Western Africa saw a decline. In 2020, the value of millet output was $4,513 million US, representing a 9.7% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at $4,996 million US, and the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 13.7% rise.

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

Exports millet from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1,072 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with the difference between these years being 4.8 times. In 2020, Western Africa's millet export volume was 1,353 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 55.2% compared to 2019. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with a 79.2% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 182.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for millet exports from Western Africa were France, accounting for 6.0% of exports in kind, Gabon with 4.1%, and Spain at 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 10.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 at $492,000 US and the highest in 2017, showing a 4.7-fold difference. In 2020, Western Africa's millet export value was $604,000 US, which is 62.0% lower than in 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 with a 78.9% decrease, while the most notable increase occurred in 2019 with a 222.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for millet exports in value terms was diverse. France accounted for 7.1% of exports in value, Spain for 4.0%, and Gabon for 3.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up only 14.2% of total flows, with the remaining 85.8% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports millet to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Millet imports into Western Africa declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, total imports amounted to 1,044 tonnes, representing a sharp decrease of 63.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 79.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 41.0%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and China were the main sources of millet imports into Western Africa, together accounting for 1.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Millet shipments to Western Africa from abroad decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, total imports were valued at $1,129,000 US, marking an intense decline of 37.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 58.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 25.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of millet into Western Africa in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. The United Kingdom accounted for 11.4% of imports in value, China for 4.4%, and France for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 16.8% of total import flows.

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

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