Top 10 Millet Producers in Africa – 2023/2024 Marketing Year
1. NIGER – 3.162 MILLION METRIC TONS
Niger ranked second globally, contributing 10.5% of global millet production. However, its 2023/2024 output of 3.162 million metric tons (MMT) marked a decline from the previous year’s 3.657 MMT due to unfavourable weather. A slight recovery is projected for 2024/2025, with production expected to rise to 3.4 MMT.
2. MALI – 1.943 MILLION METRIC TONS
Mali secured second place with 1.943 MMT, slightly improving from 1.833 MMT in 2022/2023. However, insecurity, flooding, pest infestations, and limited access to agricultural inputs are expected to reduce production to 1.8 MMT in 2024/2025.
3. NIGERIA – 1.559 MILLION METRIC TONS
Nigeria experienced a sharp decline in millet production, dropping from 1.941 MMT in 2022/2023 to 1.559 MMT in 2023/2024, despite maintaining 2 million hectares under cultivation. Improved yields are expected to boost production to 1.7 MMT in 2024/2025, although the cultivated area will shrink to 1.9 million hectares.
4. SENEGAL – 1.353 MILLION METRIC TONS
Senegal saw an increase in millet output from 1.097 MMT to 1.353 MMT in 2023/2024, driven by an expansion in cultivated land. However, unprecedented flooding will likely reduce production to 1.1 MMT in the 2024/2025 marketing year despite the area planted remaining unchanged.
5. ETHIOPIA – 1.1 MILLION METRIC TONS
Ethiopia recorded the highest yield per hectare on this list. With only 450,000 hectares under millet, it produced 1.1 MMT in 2023/2024, up from 942,000 metric tons in the previous year. With a slight increase in planted area to 455,000 hectares, production is expected to rise to 1.125 MMT in 2024/2025.
6. BURKINA FASO – 861,000 METRIC TONS
Burkina Faso’s millet production declined from 908,000 metric tons in 2022/2023 to 861,000 metric tons in 2023/2024, despite an increase in planted area. The decline is attributed to insecurity and unpredictable weather patterns. Production is projected to rebound to 1 MMT in 2024/2025 without any expansion in planted area.
7. SUDAN – 684,000 METRIC TONS
Sudan recorded the lowest agricultural productivity on this list, yielding only 0.23 tons per hectare. Due to ongoing civil conflict and economic instability, the country’s millet production fell by nearly 40% to 684,000 metric tons in 2023/2024. A recovery is expected in 2024/2025, with production projected at 1 MMT.
8. CHAD – 634,000 METRIC TONS
Chad’s millet production remained in line with its five-year average, with yields ranging between 0.5 and 0.6 tons per hectare. However, flooding in 2023/2024 led to a drop in production from 694,000 to 634,000 metric tons. An increase to 700,000 metric tons is forecasted for 2024/2025.
9. TANZANIA – 325,000 METRIC TONS
Tanzania’s millet statistics have remained stable over the years. In 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025, the yield has held steady at 1.08 tons per hectare, with 300,000 hectares under millet cultivation. This consistency has resulted in an unchanged output of 325,000 metric tons annually.
10. GHANA – 244,000 METRIC TONS
Ghana rounds out the top 10 with 244,000 metric tons in 2023/2024, up from 196,000 metric tons the previous year. However, despite a stable cultivated area of 170,000 hectares, production is expected to drop to 210,000 metric tons in 2024/2025.
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