Maize bran, sharps and residues market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize bran, sharps and residues in Africa expanded from 3 392 thousand tons in 2018 to 4 645 thousand tons in 2023, with a notable surge of 24% in 2020. This jump coincided with global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered trade flows and boosted domestic milling activity. Later, in 2022, demand was reinforced by the growing use of bran and germ as ingredients in animal feed, adding a new outlet for mill by-products. The upward trend continued in 2023, supported by a 5.8% increase in maize planted area in key producing regions, which raised raw material availability for mills.

Underlying the volume growth, the maize milling sector maintained a stable capacity of around 3.7 million tons per year, with ongoing process improvements such as degermination and controlled conditioning that enhanced extraction rates and product quality. The market remained concentrated among a few large players, though the entry of smaller, cost-effective community millers added to overall industry activity without fundamentally changing the supply structure.

After the peak in 2020, market volume dipped slightly in 2021 to 4 057 thousand tons, reflecting normal fluctuations in production and trade. The overall trajectory, however, stayed positive, culminating in a record volume of 4 645 thousand tons by 2023, as the factors driving demand for milling residues remained favorable.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Maize bran, sharps, and residues production in Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Africa produced 4 234 K t of these products, marking a 26.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Maize bran, sharps, and residues exports from Africa to other countries declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 68.5 K t, showing a moderate decrease of 8.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 14.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 107.9 K t. In 2019, exports saw the largest drop of 30.7%, while 2018 had the biggest increase of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, South Korea, and India were significant buyers of maize bran, sharps, and residues from Africa, accounting for 10.2%, 1.2%, and 1.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 12.5% of total exports, with the remaining 87.5% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Maize bran, sharps, and residues exports from Africa to abroad decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 16 877 K $ US, representing a sharp drop of 30.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports declined by 3.7%, with an average annual decrease of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 25 841 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 47.4%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Vietnam, South Korea, and India accounted for 13.4%, 1.2%, and 0.9% of exports in value, respectively, totaling only 15.5% of overall flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign supplies of maize bran, sharps, and residues to Africa totaled 143.1 K t, which is 26.5% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.5%, with an average annual decline of 12.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 11.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States consistently held the largest share of imports in kind of maize bran, sharps, and residues to Africa, accounting for 46.5% 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

After a two-year increase, cross-border shipments of maize bran, sharps, and residues to Africa declined. In 2020, imports reached 41 610 K $ US, reflecting a solid decrease of 19.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 18%, equating to an average annual rate of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 51 952 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Ukraine were key partners for imports in value terms, accounting for 61.6%, 0.5%, and 0.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 62.7% 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