South Africa: Millet Market 2025

Millet Market Size in South Africa

The South African millet market surged to $X in 2022, jumping by 18% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Millet consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Millet Production in South Africa

In value terms, millet production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 136%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of millet in South Africa reached X kg per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the yield increased by 2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average millet yield hit record highs at X kg per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield stood 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 millet harvested area in South Africa fell modestly to X ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 4.2% against the previous year. The millet harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Millet Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, the amount of millet exported from South Africa surged to X tons, growing by 44% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 285% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, millet exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 136% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Angola (X tons) was the main destination for millet exports from South Africa, accounting for a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, millet exports to Angola exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Nigeria (X tons), fourfold. Namibia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Angola stood at +88.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nigeria (0.0% per year) and Namibia (+2.6% per year).

In value terms, Angola ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for millet exports from South Africa, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nigeria ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Angola amounted to +81.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nigeria (0.0% per year) and Italy (+19.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average millet export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -22.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 110%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Greece ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Millet Imports

Imports into South Africa

Millet imports into South Africa contracted sharply to X tons in 2022, shrinking by -15.4% compared with 2021 figures. In general, total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +24.4% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, millet imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% 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 +8.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 93%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Russia (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main suppliers of millet imports to South Africa, together comprising 82% of total imports. Zimbabwe, Romania, Botswana and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +58.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Russia ($X), India ($X) and Ukraine ($X) constituted the largest millet suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 86% share of total imports. Romania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and China lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +37.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average millet import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 49% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+12.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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