Mustard seeds market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Ethiopia's mustard seed market volume began a gradual increase from 2 677 tons in 2018 to 2 720 tons by 2020. This early growth period aligned with the liberalization of the agricultural seed sector, where private Ethiopian seed companies started to emerge and address historical supply shortages and quality issues previously associated with state monopoly.

Market volume continued to rise, reaching 2 748 tons in 2021, primarily supported by anticipated demand from the ongoing expansion of edible oil processing facilities and integrated agro-industrial parks across the country. The market then stabilized in 2022, with volume at 2 734 tons.

A significant regulatory shift occurred in 2023 with the introduction of the new Ethiopian Seed Proclamation No. 1288/2023. This law streamlined variety registration and seed imports for companies, strengthening domestic seed production and quality, which helped maintain market volume at 2 746 tons. Into 2024, further policy measures including tax incentives for domestic producers and the standardization of labeling and packaging rules continued to shape the market's operating environment.

Production mustard seeds in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Ethiopia was among the world's leading producers of mustard seeds from 2017 to 2020, ranking 11th globally by production volume.

Top producers of mustard seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of mustard seeds, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's mustard seed production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 725 tons of mustard seeds, which was 0.9% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports mustard seeds from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia exported 5 369 kg of mustard seeds, representing a modest decline of 9.6% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 937 kg, which also saw the largest annual increase of 88.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Sudan, and Kenya remained the primary buyers of Ethiopian mustard seeds, accounting for 65.3%, 10.3%, and 9.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 84.6% of total exports.

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, $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia exported mustard seeds worth 29 194 US dollars, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 49.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 227 US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 33.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 74.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated the value of mustard seed exports from Ethiopia, accounting for 90.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports mustard seeds to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, kg

The import market was characterized by volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia imported approximately 561 kg of mustard seeds, reflecting a sharp decline of 77.3% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout 2017-2020, China and the United Arab Emirates were the key sources for mustard seed imports in kind, with shares of 89.2% and 10.8%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 100.0% of total import flows.

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, $ US

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports in value terms were at their lowest in 2018 and reached their peak in 2020, showing a 2.7-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Ethiopia imported mustard seeds worth 1 571 US dollars, marking an abrupt decrease of 51.0% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all mustard seed imports to Ethiopia in value terms were associated with China, which accounted for 94.6% of total import flows.

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

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