Oats market in Lesotho

Earlier Report Observations

The oats market in Lesotho expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with total volume rising from 418 tons to 620 tons. This growth was driven primarily by a sharp increase in imports, which surged from 88 tons to 282 tons, while domestic production saw modest growth from 330 tons to 339 tons.

After peaking in 2020, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 469 tons in 2022. This decline coincided with severe climate impacts, including droughts and floods that adversely affected agricultural production. During this period, initiatives such as a World Bank-supported project to diversify crops and a $5 million FAO funding for food security aimed to bolster agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. By 2023, the market recovered slightly to 511 tons as production stabilized.

Initial 2024 trade data points to lower imports of 98 tons and the emergence of oat exports at 8.5 tons, indicating evolving supply patterns in the market.

Production oats in Lesotho

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Oats production in Lesotho has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 338.6 t of oats, which represents a 0.8% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 330.2 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.5% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 1.7% rise.

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

Exports oats from Lesotho

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2017 to 2018, exports experienced extreme volatility with a 1 827-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, Lesotho's exported oats volumes totaled 0.0 t, marking a sharp decline of 99.9% compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of oats from Lesotho, accounting for 99.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports changed by 1 513 times from the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018. In 2020, Lesotho exported 0.0 K $ US of oats, corresponding to a steep drop of 99.9% versus the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports oats to Lesotho

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, representing a 3.2-fold shift. In 2020, Lesotho's oats import volumes amounted to 281.8 t, corresponding to a steep increase of 29.8% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 87.6 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 13.5% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 147.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and Niue clearly dominated the list of suppliers of oats to Lesotho, jointly accounting for 84.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Lesotho's oats import volumes totaled 123.5 K $ US, marking a reduction of 30.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.6%, equating to a 5.9% annualized rate. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 108.1 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 178.6 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 65.1% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the single largest supplier of oats to Lesotho, accounting for 71.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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