Africa: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in Africa

The African lentil market totaled $X in 2022, surging by 13% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +35.2% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lentil Production in Africa

In value terms, lentil production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Ethiopia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of lentil production, comprising approx. 71% of total volume. Moreover, lentil production in Ethiopia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Morocco (X tons), fivefold.

In Ethiopia, lentil production contracted by an average annual rate of -2.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (+1.4% per year) and Algeria (+5.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of lentils in Africa reduced to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -10.7% against 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the yield increased by 27% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The lentil harvested area was estimated at X ha in 2022, remaining stable against the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 8.9%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to lentil production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Lentil Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, exports of lentils in Africa declined sharply to X tons, reducing by -42.5% compared with 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 285%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lentil exports declined notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 194%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) represented the major exporter of lentils, achieving 65% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Sudan (X tons) and Malawi (X tons). All these countries together took near 23% share of total exports. Mozambique (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Cameroon (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Egypt experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of lentils. At the same time, Sudan (+18.4%), Cameroon (+16.2%), Tanzania (+6.8%) and South Africa (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Sudan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +18.4% from 2012-2022. Malawi experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Mozambique (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Tanzania (+5.3 p.p.) and Sudan (+4.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Egypt (-2.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest lentil supplier in Africa, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with an 8% share of total exports. It was followed by Malawi, with a 5.5% share.

In Egypt, lentil exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+5.1% per year) and Malawi (+3.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Export price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil export price increased by +82.0% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cameroon (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lentil Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of lentils were imported in Africa; picking up by 13% compared with the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -19.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lentil imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +58.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of lentils, namely Sudan, Egypt and Algeria, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Morocco (X tons), generating a 12% share of total imports. Eritrea (X tons), Kenya (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +22.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lentil importing markets in Africa were Egypt ($X), Sudan ($X) and Algeria ($X), with a combined 70% share of total imports. Morocco, Eritrea, Kenya and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

Morocco, with a CAGR of +26.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 5.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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