Market research

Soybeans market in Zambia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

After a slight contraction in 2019, Zambia's soybean market stabilized around 286 thousand tonnes in 2020. From 2021 onward, it embarked on a steep growth trajectory, expanding to 378.4 thousand tonnes that year, then to 458.0 thousand tonnes in 2022, and surging to 668.5 thousand tonnes in 2023. This increase was paralleled by a rise in domestic production, which more than doubled over the same period.

In 2024, the country's agricultural sector, including soybeans, was impacted by a prolonged drought associated with the El Niño weather phenomenon, which can significantly reduce crop yields.

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 Zambia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia ranked 20th globally in soybean production.

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

After a two-year decline, soybean production in Zambia increased. In 2020, the country produced 296.9 thousand tons of soybeans, marking a 5.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 281.4 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.9%)	(7.0%)	5.5%	(5.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Zambia's soybean production value increased. In 2020, soybean output was valued at 123.9 million US dollars, representing a 24.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 26.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 99.3 million US dollars, and the largest decline took place in 2019 at 25.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(20.8%)	(25.6%)	24.8%	(9.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports soybeans from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 9.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia exported 14,525 tons of soybeans, reflecting a solid 16.8% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8,340 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 89.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 49.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(89.6%)	49.1%	16.8%	(43.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia's soybean exports in kind were primarily shaped by Zimbabwe and South Africa, which together accounted for 83.0% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports varied significantly, with a low in 2018 and a high in 2017, showing a 10.5-fold gap. In 2020, Zambia's soybean exports totaled 6,062 thousand US dollars, indicating a 38.2% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3,676 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 90.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(90.4%)	19.3%	38.2%	(46.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe and South Africa remained the main markets for Zambia's soybean exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.7% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports soybeans to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Soybean import volumes in Zambia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 3,975 tons, equivalent to a sharp uptick of 1,528.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13,160.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 409.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.5%	604.6%	1 528.9%	409.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Malawi dominated Zambia's soybean imports in kind, accounting together for 91.5% of total flows, with other destinations having smaller individual contributions.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's soybean import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Zambia imported 2,725 thousand US dollars worth of soybeans, up by 990.7% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 20,639.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 491.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	74.2%	991.7%	990.7%	491.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the dominant destination for Zambia's soybean imports in value terms, accounting for 71.5% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among a number of smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io