Market research

Yams market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 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 market for yams in Eastern Africa experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume moving from 204.2 thousand tons to 212.8 thousand tons. After an initial rise to 211.2 thousand tons in 2019, production and market size dipped slightly in 2020 before recovering the following year. The most significant contraction occurred in 2022, when the market fell to 194.1 thousand tons, followed by a strong rebound in 2023 to nearly the peak level.

The market growth in 2021, when volume reached 211.9 thousand tons, was supported by a rebound in economic activity. Specifically, Kenya's tourism sector registered a 53.29% expansion following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, which increased demand for food products including yams across the region.

By 2024, shifting consumer preferences in the bakery and food sectors began emphasizing freshness, naturalness, and clean labels. This trend is influencing product marketing and packaging strategies for yams, reflecting broader changes in how agricultural goods are presented to buyers in Eastern Africa.

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. 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to 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, 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 yams in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2018, Eastern Africa recorded its lowest yam production at 204.2 thousand tonnes. Production then increased by 3.4% in 2019, reaching a peak of 211.2 thousand tonnes. By 2020, production had declined by 2.4% to 206.1 thousand tonnes.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.3%)	3.4%	(2.4%)	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports yams from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Yam exports from Eastern Africa have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the region exported 42.0 tonnes, representing a remarkable 601.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 2 702.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 203.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	60.5%	148.8%	601.7%	203.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (3.8% of export volume), the United Kingdom (0.9%), and Australia (0.5%) remained the top buyers of yams from Eastern Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 5.2% of total export volume.

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, $ US

Export values showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point occurred in 2018 at 3 626 US dollars, representing a 59.0% decline. By 2020, export values had surged to 47 141 US dollars, marking a 550.0% increase from 2019 and creating a 13-fold difference between the peak and trough years.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(59.0%)	100.0%	550.0%	74.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Africa's yam export market featured a diverse range of buyers. The United Arab Emirates (3.6% of export value), Australia (1.6%), and France (1.6%) together represented just 6.9% of total export value, with numerous other countries holding smaller but meaningful shares.

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 yams to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes demonstrated considerable volatility. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 2.1 tonnes, representing a 59.0% decline. In 2019, imports surged by 331.4%, followed by another substantial increase of 142.8% in 2020 to reach 21.5 tonnes. This created a 10.5-fold difference between the 2018 low and 2020 high.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(59.0%)	331.4%	142.8%	62.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China (60.9% of import volume), Nigeria (15.1%), and Egypt (4.6%) dominated yam imports to Eastern Africa, collectively accounting for 80.6% of total import volume.

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, $ US

Yam import values to Eastern Africa have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 18 325 US dollars, representing an 83.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 1 140.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 131.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	25.8%	436.8%	83.6%	131.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, China (58.3% of import value), Nigeria (17.2%), and Egypt (7.2%) formed the core group of trading partners for yam imports to Eastern Africa, collectively representing 82.6% of total import value.

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