Maize bran, sharps and residues market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize bran, sharps and residues in Eastern Africa showed an overall upward trend from 1 272 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 449 thousand tons in 2023. Initial stability was supported by government subsidies for maize fertilizers and seeds, along with the introduction of improved land preparation practices and hybrid maize varieties like H614 and DK8031, which laid a foundation for future raw material availability.

Market growth accelerated notably to 1 407 thousand tons by 2022, coinciding with stricter quality enforcement by the Kenya Bureau of Standards that banned substandard maize flour brands. This regulatory push, alongside rising consumer demand for fortified maize products, stimulated milling activity and the adoption of high-yield hybrid seeds, increasing the supply of processing residues.

In 2023, the market volume expanded further to 1 449 thousand tons, supported by a reported 38.8% surge in maize production driven by favorable weather conditions and agricultural transformation strategies emphasizing innovation. Ongoing research into integrated nutrient management and promotion of quality seeds continued to shape the sector's productive capacity through 2024.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in Eastern 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

In Eastern Africa, production of maize bran, sharps and residues reached 1,346 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a slight increase of 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize bran, sharps and residues production in Eastern Africa rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 264.5 million US dollars, showing a sharp gain of 26.6% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 10.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 184.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.6%.

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

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of gains, maize bran, sharps and residues exports from Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, exports totaled 49,729 tonnes, indicating a sharp drop of 44.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 23.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 90,317 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana formed the core group of markets for exports in kind, accounting for 23.0%, 22.2%, and 18.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 63.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa exported 9,773 thousand US dollars worth of maize bran, sharps and residues in 2020, constituting a steep decline of 30.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 18.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 14,149 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 43.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa remained the main markets for exports in value terms, accounting for 23.8%, 19.5%, and 18.3% of exports, respectively. Jointly, they took 61.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 12,285 tonnes of maize bran, sharps and residues, representing an 87.8% gain compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,910 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 79.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 124.8%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their maximum in 2017, falling to the lowest point in 2018—a difference of 4.3 times. In 2020, Eastern Africa's maize bran, sharps and residues imports reached 2,956 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep advance of 89.2% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 733 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 76.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 113.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, India, and Argentina continued to lead as suppliers of maize bran, sharps and residues to Eastern Africa, accounting for 1.9%, 0.8%, and 0.5% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they represented 3.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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