1. South Africa- 2,755,000 MT

South Africa is currently the largest soybean producer in Africa, contributing about 0.7% to global soybean production and nearly 40% of the continent’s production. According to the USDA estimates, production is projected to increase slightly to 2,800,000 MT in the 2023/24 marketing year.

2. Nigeria – 1,180,000 MT

Soybeans are an important crop in Nigeria, and the country has had an average yield of 1,090,000 MT over the past five years, thanks to government investments in soybean production. The estimate for the 2023/24 marketing year is slightly lower at 1,150,000 MT, mostly due to a decrease in acreage compared to the previous year.

3. Zambia – 475,000 MT

This year’s production is higher than the yield for the 2021/23 marketing year of 411,000MT due to an increase in acreage. Production in the 2023/24 marketing year is estimated to remain at 475,000 MT.

4. Benin – 295,000 MT

The soybean yield has been consistent in the last five years at 1.2 tons per hectare, yielding an average of 264,000 metric tons. This year’s production improved slightly on an increased acreage, with 291,000MT produced in MY 2021/22. The same trend continues to MY 2023/24, with production estimated at 310,000 MT.

5. Ghana – 215,000 MT

The production in Ghana increased slightly from 210,000 MT in the previous marketing year due to an increase in acreage. In the 2023/24 marketing year, there is expected to be a relative increase in acreage and a corresponding increase in production, estimated at 225,000 MT.

6. Uganda – 200,000 MT

Uganda dominates East African soybean production, with an average of 163,000MT over the past five years. This marketing year, production remained unchanged despite a slight increase in acreage caused by unfavorable weather. The acreage is expected to remain the same in MY 2023/24, as well as the yield and production volume.

 7. Ethiopia – 150,000 MT

A similar trend is evident in Ethiopia, with a yield of 2.5 MT/ha for the past three years. The production in the marketing year 2023/24 is expected to remain the same, based on the same estimated acreage as well.

8. Zimbabwe – 75,000 MT

Soybean is not a major crop in this country, with production significantly below 100,000 MT. The production in MY 2022/23 increased slightly from the 71,000 MT recorded in the previous marketing year, primarily due to a slight increase in acreage. In MY 2023/24, the acreage will remain the same, and the production is estimated to remain unchanged as well.

9. Egypt – 56,000 MT

While Egypt appears almost at the bottom of this list, the country leads all of Africa in terms of average soybean yield, with over 3 metric tonnes per hectare. The average production in Africa is 1.3 metric tons per hectare. Egypt invests significantly in irrigation-fed agriculture, including the cultivation of soybeans. The USDA estimates that production will reach 85,000 metric tons in MY2023/24.

10. Tanzania – 25,900 MT

Soybean production in Tanzania was 25,900 MT in 2022, according to a study by ReportLinker, a research and development organization. It is estimated that soybean cultivation will reach 32,310MT by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% per year, thanks to government investments.

This feature appeared in ISSUE 7 of MILLING MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA MAGAZINE. You can read this and the entire magazine HERE