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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for flour and powder of sago, roots, or tubers in Middle Africa grew steadily, with production rising from 940 to 1 221 thousand tons. This expansion was underpinned by the region's strong cassava production base, notably in DR Congo, which ranked as the world's third-largest cassava producer. While viral and bacterial diseases posed challenges to cassava yields, the overall industrial potential for cassava-derived flour supported market growth.

A significant boost occurred in 2022 when the DR Congo government adopted a cassava flour industrialization project, promoting its use in baking and pastry with up to 20% blending with wheat flour. Backed by $38 million in funding from the African Development Bank, this initiative aimed to reduce reliance on wheat imports, a urgency heightened by soaring wheat prices due to the war in Ukraine. The policy directly stimulated demand for cassava flour, encouraging new semi-industrial processing units and the emergence of new product segments.

The trend continued into 2023 and 2024, with rising domestic demand for cassava as a staple food driving further market expansion. New private projects in countries like Cameroon and Gabon sought to establish high-quality bread-making cassava flour production, capitalizing on its price competitiveness against wheat flour. Despite occasional fungal diseases affecting cassava crops, sales of cassava flour saw strong increases in several agricultural markets, reflecting sustained interest in local flour alternatives.

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

Middle Africa's production of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 124 thousand tonnes of this product, representing an 11.3% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 38%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.3%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Middle Africa's exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 992 tonnes, marking a sharp rise of 41.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 57.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 593 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Belgium were the top destinations for Middle Africa's exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers. France accounted for 24.5% of exports, the United States for 16.2%, and Belgium for 14.9%. Together, these three countries made up 55.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for exports in value terms experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa's cross-border shipments of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers totaled 350 thousand US dollars, a decline of 61.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 295 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 899 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 204.4%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. The United States, France, and Portugal were the leading destinations, accounting for 15.6%, 15.3%, and 12.7% of exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 43.6% of total flows, with the remaining 56.4% distributed among numerous other nations.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The import market for flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers in Middle Africa showed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes hit their highest level in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2019, a 3.1-fold change. In 2020, Middle Africa imported 1 307 tonnes, a substantial increase of 111.7% from the prior year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 617 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 58.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Togo, Benin, and Turkey were the main sources for Middle Africa's imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers. Togo contributed 37.5% of imports, Benin 18.3%, and Turkey 18.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms saw notable fluctuations during this time. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 9.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa's imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers were valued at 307 thousand US dollars, a dramatic increase of 89.2% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 162 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline happened in 2018, falling by 89.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Portugal, and Togo dominated the structure of imports in value terms for Middle Africa. Turkey accounted for 35.9% of imports, Portugal for 26.8%, and Togo for 18.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 80.8% of total import flows.

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

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