Zambia’s soya beans is expected to find a stronger export footing in the East African market

Zambia’s soya beans is expected to find a stronger export footing in the East African market, where demand for soya meal continues to outpace regional supply. A new analysis from Commodity Insight Africa in its 10 June 2026 African Grains report shows that Zambia is building a clear competitive position in a market already facing a structural shortfall. The report projects a 2025/2026 harvest of about 450,000 tonnes of soya beans, with local crushing expected to produce around 300,000 tonnes of soya meal, leaving an exportable surplus of roughly 80,000 tonnes after domestic demand is met. That surplus enters a regional market where Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda together require about 370,000 tonnes of soya meal annually, while supply from regional producers falls short by an estimated 130,000 tonnes. Commodity Insight Africa notes that Zambia’s current production outlook and cost position are strengthening its competitiveness against other origins, especially as global supply from traditional exporters tightens. The analysis comes shortly after Zambia raised its production ambition to 3 million tonnes of soya beans by 2031 under the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1 framework, a shift that would move the country from surplus participation to large-scale regional supply leadership in oilseed markets.