Africa: Soya Bean Market 2025

Soya Bean Market Size in Africa

For the third consecutive year, the African soya bean market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 52% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption recorded prominent growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Soya Bean Production in Africa

In value terms, soya bean production dropped sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 930%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were South Africa (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Zambia (X tons), with a combined 62% share of total production. These countries were followed by Benin, Ghana, Malawi and Ethiopia, which together accounted for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Benin (with a CAGR of +15.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average soya bean yield shrank slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, waning by -2.3% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the soya bean yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The soya bean harvested area reached X ha in 2021, approximately equating the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Soya Bean Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of soya beans increased by 26% to X tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, soya bean exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 71%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of soya beans, namely Malawi, Togo and Ethiopia, represented more than half of total export. South Africa (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Zambia (X tons), Benin (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 30% share of total exports. Ghana (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Burkina Faso (with a CAGR of +92.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Malawi ($X), Ethiopia ($X) and South Africa ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 61% of total exports. Zambia, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Ghana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +85.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 30% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Malawi ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+11.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soya Bean Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of soya beans increased by 165% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports recorded a significant increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soya bean imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 51%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Egypt prevails in imports structure, recording X tons, which was near 86% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Algeria (X tons), achieving a 7.5% share of total imports. Tunisia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soya bean imports into Egypt stood at +23.2%. At the same time, Algeria (+46.2%) and Tunisia (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +46.2% from 2012-2021. Egypt (+14 p.p.) and Algeria (+6.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Tunisia saw its share reduced by -15% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported soya beans in Africa, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Algeria ($X), with a 15% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt amounted to +7.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Algeria (+54.7% per year) and Tunisia (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -48.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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