Mustard seeds market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the mustard seeds market in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded, reaching 7 257 t in 2020. This growth was supported by government-backed financing initiatives aimed at increasing seed production, such as the Nigerian government's 5-billion-naira plan to support farmers, and by industry associations providing agricultural loans and buyback arrangements to growers, which helped bolster domestic output.

Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 6 271 t by 2022. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp reduction in imports, as countries like Nigeria actively sought to curb their dependence on foreign seeds to alleviate pressure on foreign exchange reserves, motivating local companies to focus on increasing domestic production and developing sustainable business models for seed centers.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, with volume surging to 7 423 t, largely due to a renewed spike in imports. This reflected ongoing needs for reliable, quality seeds to address food security concerns, while continued efforts to improve seed quality, harmonize regional regulations, and attract long-term investment shaped the sector's development into 2024.

Production mustard seeds in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of mustard seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of mustard seeds, 2017-2020

Mustard seed production in Sub-Saharan Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 725 tonnes of mustard seeds, which represents a slight increase of 0.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports mustard seeds from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for mustard seeds from Sub-Saharan Africa showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 17 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totalled 24 tonnes, which marked a sharp year-on-year decline of 42.2%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, falling by 67.0%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 141.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, mustard seed exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were not concentrated among a few major destinations. Thailand accounted for 11.4% of exports in volume, the United States for 6.2%, and Switzerland for 1.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms displayed notable volatility over the observed timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 42 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, mustard seed deliveries from Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 90 thousand US dollars, showing a year-on-year increase of 20.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 46.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 75.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of mustard seed exports in value terms remained highly diversified. The United States accounted for 24.7% of export value, Thailand for 10.6%, and Switzerland for 7.7%. Combined, these three markets made up only 43.0% of total flows, with the remaining 57.0% distributed among a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports mustard seeds to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Mustard seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 4 556 tonnes, reflecting a modest year-on-year growth of 6.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.3%, with an average annual increase of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the primary supplier of mustard seeds to Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 72.3% of total import volume. The remaining imports were sourced from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mustard seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 932 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight year-on-year decrease of 5.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 593 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 9.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 24.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Canada continued to be the main source for mustard seed imports into Sub-Saharan Africa, representing 71.4% of total import value. The rest of the imports were spread across various other countries.

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

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