Flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in Africa more than doubled from 4.4 million tons in 2018 to 8.3 million tons in 2023. This expansion was driven by a steady rise in production, which increased from 4.4 million tons to 8.3 million tons over the period, with a particularly sharp 38% surge in 2020.

In the later years, the market was influenced by several factors. Significant price increases for staple foods like yam tubers and maize in 2021 reflected inflationary pressures, yet market volume continued to grow. By 2023, a shortage of cassava composite flour supply led to increased wheat importation, while the removal of fuel subsidies added to production costs, contributing to higher consumer prices for flour-based products.

By 2024, government efforts to boost cassava output through improved inputs, mechanization, and farmer support began to enhance raw material availability. At the same time, consumer preferences shifted towards gluten-free alternatives such as cocoyam flour, and processed root products like flour and chips gained popularity, indicating the emergence of new market segments.

Production flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

World map of production of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

Flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers production in Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Africa produced 6 811 K t of this product, representing a 38.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 61.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Africa's production of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 724 M $ US, marking a 43.5% increase from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 57.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 411 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 9.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers from Africa

Exports in kind, t

Flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers exports from Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 14 397 t, which is 53.6% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 231.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind remained highly diversified. The United States (4.7% of exports in kind), France (3.7%), and the United Kingdom (2.9%) together accounted for only 11.3% of total flows, while a long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 88.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported volumes of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers from Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 16 326 K $ US, showing a significant gain of 59.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 224.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 48.1%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, there was no single dominant market for flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers in value terms. The United States (13.3% of exports in value terms), Italy (11.9%), and France (7.7%) together accounted for only 32.8% of total exports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers to Africa have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 051 t, representing a 4.9% decrease from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 89.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -53.4%.

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

In 2017–2020, Turkey (19.2% of imports in kind), Portugal (0.9%), and the United States (0.7%) were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in kind of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers to Africa, with a combined share of 20.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa's import volume of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 1 777 K $ US, which is 26.5% lower year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 61.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -27.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 820 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 49.8% drop. The largest increase was in 2018, at 5.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports in value terms of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers to Africa were distributed across a large number of markets. Turkey (28.6% of imports in value terms), Portugal (5.7%), and Peru (2.9%) jointly accounted for only 37.2% of total flows.

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

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