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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for flour of sago, roots or tubers in Congo entered a period of sustained growth starting in 2018, when a government ban on imports of ordinary flour was enacted to shield local millers. This protectionist measure, coupled with the launch of the Agricultural Commercial Development Project (PDAC) to boost farm productivity, encouraged investment and innovation in domestic milling, setting the stage for a gradual market expansion. The positive trend was accelerated in 2020 by a joint European Union and World Food Program initiative aimed at strengthening the cassava value chain, which promoted the use of locally produced cassava flour in school meals and urban food assistance programs.

Market volume continued to rise steadily through 2023, supported by significant new production capacity coming online. In 2021, the creation of the Sheng-Sheng Agricultural Technology Company introduced a dedicated cassava flour plant with an annual output potential of 18 thousand tons. This was followed in 2023 by a government program delivering 100 tractors to farmers, which enhanced the mechanization of root and tuber cultivation and helped improve raw material yields for flour production.

The sector's development momentum carried into 2024 with the entry of a new major player, the Turkish group MFB, which reopened and expanded a previously dormant flour mill. Concurrently, the government established several Protected Agricultural Zones (ZAP) specifically designed to secure and increase the production of key crops like cassava, further solidifying the supply base for the local flour industry.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Congo ranked as the world's 9th largest producer of flour or powder made from sago, roots, or tubers.

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

Congo's production of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 246.4 thousand tons, marking a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Congo's exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers totaled 0.2 tons, a sharp decline of 97.0% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 98.9%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 77.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with France alone accounting for 98.9% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Congo exported $855 worth of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers, which was 60.2% lower than the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of export value was primarily shaped by France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together made up 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Congo's imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers stood at 167.3 tons, a 33.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 250.6 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 264.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Benin dominated Congo's imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers in volume, holding a 90.4% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, Congo's cross-border shipments of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers amounted to $17 282, a 40.3% reduction compared to 2019. The maximum value was $29 839 in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 116.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Benin remained the leading source for Congo's imports in value terms, with an 85.7% share of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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