Cereal germ market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cereal germ market in Western Africa demonstrated a general expansion from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 749 thousand tons, the market volume dipped slightly to 740 thousand tons in 2019 before rising to 780 thousand tons in 2020. This growth accelerated, reaching 850 thousand tons in 2022, then stabilized at 847 thousand tons in 2023.

Domestic production followed a similar trajectory, increasing from 749 thousand tons in 2018 to a high of 847 thousand tons in 2022. Throughout this period, imports and exports remained marginal, underscoring that the market was primarily supplied by local output.

In 2024, global factors shaped the market environment. Improved supply chains contributed to a 13.3% fall in cereal prices, lowering raw material costs for producers. At the same time, rising consumer demand for nutritious, convenient options and a growing focus on whole grains and clean-label products influenced consumption trends.

Production cereal germ in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cereal germ, 2017-2020

World map of production of cereal germ, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, cereal germ production in Western Africa rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 777.9 K t of cereal germ, marking a modest increase of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 740.0 K t, which saw the largest decline of 1.2% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cereal germ from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility throughout the observed period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 17 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 96 t, representing a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa's cereal germ exports contracted sharply by 82.5% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth rate of 39.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend during this timeframe. Export values reached their lowest point in 2020 at 19 K $ US, while peaking in 2019 at 99 K $ US, showing a 5.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, foreign cereal germ supplies from Western Africa declined by 81.2% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 35.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France and the United States remained the primary destinations for exports in value terms, together accounting for 11.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports cereal germ to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 40 t, then peaked in 2020 at 2 155 t, creating a 53-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Western Africa's cereal germ imports surged by 5,232.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 79.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, India (37.8% of imports in kind), Belgium (22.4% of imports in kind), and China (13.6% of imports in kind) were the key sources for imports in kind, collectively representing 73.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values hit their lowest point in 2019 at 47 K $ US, then reached their maximum in 2020 at 2 372 K $ US, showing a 50-fold swing between these years. In 2020, cereal germ shipments to Western Africa from abroad stood 4,945.7% above the previous year's level. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a decrease of 87.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (41.6% of imports in value terms), India (32.5% of imports in value terms), and China (6.9% of imports in value terms) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for cereal germ to Western Africa, together accounting for 81.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Africa in value, 2017-2020