Market research

Soybeans market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The soybean market volume in Eastern Africa experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, ranging from 903 000 t to 1.3 million t. Production demonstrated consistent growth throughout the period, rising from 1.0 million t to over 1.6 million t, which provided an expanding base for the market.

Changes in trade flows significantly influenced the available domestic volume. Exports grew substantially, from 101 000 t in 2018 to 552 000 t in 2023, while imports varied, peaking at 118 000 t in 2021 before declining. This export growth, coupled with variable import levels, led to the market volume contraction in 2023 despite higher production.

In 2020, government policy considerations regarding tariffs for domestically produced and imported goods likely supported an increase in soybean imports, which contributed to the market volume growth observed that year.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production soybeans in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, soybean production in Eastern Africa experienced a slight decline of 2.1%. However, by 2020, output rebounded significantly, reaching 1 156 thousand tons—a 14.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 25.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.9%	(2.1%)	14.4%	7.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of soybean production in Eastern Africa showed mixed trends. In 2019, it reached its lowest point at 582.9 million US dollars, marking a substantial decline of 22.8% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 755.2 million US dollars. By 2020, production value recovered to 655.0 million US dollars, representing a 12.4% increase year-over-year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 10.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.1%	(22.8%)	12.4%	(3.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports soybeans from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Soybean exports from Eastern Africa have grown for two consecutive years. In 2018, volumes reached their lowest point at 100.8 thousand tons, declining by 7.8% from the previous year. However, 2019 saw a significant rebound with a 39.0% increase. By 2020, exports reached 156.2 thousand tons, up 11.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes increased by 42.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.8%)	39.0%	11.5%	12.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the top destination for Eastern Africa's soybean exports in volume terms, accounting for 41.8% of total flows. South Africa followed with 7.1%, and Vietnam with 6.6%. Together, these three countries represented 55.5% of all soybean exports from the region during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of soybean exports from Eastern Africa has increased for two straight years. In 2018, export value hit its lowest point at 73 773 thousand US dollars, declining by 15.1% from the previous year. The following year, 2019, saw a recovery with a 9.6% increase. By 2020, export value reached 88 474 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.5% rise year-over-year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.1%)	9.6%	9.5%	0.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Africa's soybean export markets in value terms were quite diversified. India was the largest partner, accounting for 31.3% of total export value, followed by South Africa at 6.7% and Vietnam at 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 43.0% of total flows, while the remaining 57.0% was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports soybeans to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Soybean imports into Eastern Africa showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, import volumes dropped to their lowest point at 20.9 thousand tons, representing a sharp decline of 69.6% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2017, creating a 3.3-fold difference between the peak and trough years. By 2020, imports rebounded strongly to 62.3 thousand tons, marking a substantial 90.4% increase compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(69.6%)	56.3%	90.4%	(3.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Africa's soybean import sources in volume terms were relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Ukraine was the largest supplier, accounting for 10.3% of total imports, followed by South Africa at 6.9% and the United States at 2.2%. Together, these three countries represented 19.4% of total flows, while the remaining 80.6% came from numerous other trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of soybean imports into Eastern Africa experienced notable fluctuations. In 2018, import value reached its lowest point at 12 133 thousand US dollars, declining by 71.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2017, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.5 times. By 2020, import value recovered significantly to 36 610 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 81.8% increase year-over-year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(71.1%)	66.0%	81.8%	(4.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Africa sourced soybeans from a wide range of markets in value terms. The United States was the largest supplier, accounting for 8.8% of total import value, followed closely by Ukraine at 8.6% and South Africa at 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 25.4% of total imports, while the remaining 74.6% came from many smaller trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io