Soybeans market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

Soybean production in Mali expanded rapidly from 6 693 t in 2018 to 15 404 t in 2021. This initial surge was supported by broader agricultural policies, including the provision of 3 500 t of certified seeds to boost farm productivity in 2018. The adoption of a new land tenure law in late 2020 secured property rights, encouraging greater agricultural investment. In 2021, the focus turned specifically to soybeans, with the Rural Development Minister announcing preparations for the country's first soybean harvest and launching a Marshall Plan to strengthen agricultural production, processing, and commercialization.

Production continued its upward trajectory, reaching 23 726 t by 2023. Despite global headwinds in 2022—such as soaring input prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, coupled with a regional embargo—state subsidies on agricultural inputs and support for producer organizations helped sustain output growth. By 2023, authorities were actively encouraging crop diversification with increased interest in soybeans, directly promoting further cultivation. Consequently, the domestic market volume grew from 6 693 t to 21 449 t over the period, closely tracking the rise in production as imports remained minimal.

Production soybeans in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Mali's soybean production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 14 685 tonnes of soybeans, representing a significant increase of 40.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 153.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 36.3%.

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

Exports soybeans from Mali

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire were the main buyers of soybeans from Mali, together accounting for 93.0% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana dominated Mali's soybean exports in value terms, capturing 97.4% of the total. Other destinations made up the rest, with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports soybeans to Mali

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, showing a dramatic 13 539-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mali imported 3 tonnes of soybeans, which marked a complete drop of 100.0% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the primary source for soybean imports to Mali, consistently supplying 99.6% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 441 times. In 2020, soybean imports to Mali amounted to 7 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 100.0% compared to 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, imports of soybeans to Mali in value terms were highly concentrated on Argentina, which accounted for 99.1% of total flows.

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

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