SADC: Soya Bean Market 2025

Soya Bean Market Size in SADC

The SADC soya bean market reduced to $X in 2021, waning by -14.6% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +24.0% against 2019 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Soya Bean Production in SADC

In value terms, soya bean production reduced notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 78%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

South Africa (X tons) remains the largest soya bean producing country in SADC, comprising approx. 65% of total volume. Moreover, soya bean production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Zambia (X tons), fourfold. Malawi (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.4% share.

In South Africa, soya bean production increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (+4.0% per year) and Malawi (+5.7% per year).

The average soya bean yield declined slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, which is down by -3.8% against 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the soya bean yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. 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 dropped to X ha in 2021, almost unchanged from 2020 figures. The total harvested area indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soya bean harvested area decreased by -3.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to soya bean production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Soya Bean Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of soya beans were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a slight increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soya bean exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a resilient increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Malawi (X tons) represented the main exporter of soya beans, achieving 54% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons), together making up a 45% share of total exports.

Exports from Malawi increased at an average annual rate of +53.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Tanzania (+56.8%) and Zambia (+34.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +56.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-14.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malawi (+52 p.p.), Zambia (+17 p.p.) and Tanzania (+5.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -75.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Malawi ($X) remains the largest soya bean supplier in SADC, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Malawi totaled +58.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (-12.0% per year) and Zambia (+35.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 33% against the previous year. Export price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soya bean export price increased by +77.7% against 2017 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Malawi ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) and Zambia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malawi (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soya Bean Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, supplies from abroad of soya beans increased by 163% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 638%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, soya bean imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 430% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) represented roughly 76% of total imports in 2021. Tanzania (X tons) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Mozambique (6%). Malawi (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Tanzania (with a CAGR of +76.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soya bean importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Tanzania ($X), with a combined 85% share of total imports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +77.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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 SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -23.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Malawi ($X per ton) and Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) and Tanzania ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform