Maize bran, sharps and residues market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The maize bran and residues market in SADC expanded significantly between 2018 and 2023, with the initial growth phase linked to the deregulation of South Africa's maize milling industry. This policy change allowed a surge of informal millers to enter the market, increasing overall milling activity and the production of by-products like bran and sharps. Consequently, market volume grew from 1 251 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 296 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by dominant major companies and accessible capital for new entrants.

A sharp increase to 2 072 thousand tonnes occurred in 2020, driven by a continued influx of new milling players due to favorable capital availability and growing demand. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced global supply chain disruptions that affected logistics and availability, further incentivizing local production and contributing to the market's rapid expansion during this period.

Following a slight correction to 1 992 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market resumed its upward trajectory, reaching 2 259 thousand tonnes by 2023. This later growth was sustained by ongoing operational focus within the milling industry on improving extraction rates and processing efficiency, which maximized the output of residues. Consumer price sensitivity and persistent global factors like commodity price fluctuations also played a role in shaping the market's steady climb.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in SADC

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 2020, SADC produced 2 072 K t of maize bran, sharps and residues, marking a significant increase of 61.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 63.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.7%. The only decline during this time occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 0.6%.

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

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Exports of maize bran, sharps and residues from SADC fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 27 907 t, representing a sharp decline of 49.7% from the year before. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 52.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 22.0%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 69 996 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for SADC's exports in kind were Vietnam, Kenya, and India. Vietnam accounted for 12.2% of exports, Kenya for 1.7%, and India for 1.2%. Together, these three markets made up 15.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited notable volatility during the observed period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, the value of exported maize bran, sharps and residues from SADC was 13 430 K $ US, down 31.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 981 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 88.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Vietnam, Kenya, and India were the key markets for SADC's exports in value terms. Vietnam held a 16.3% share, Kenya 1.3%, and India 1.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 18.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was marked by volatility in these years. Imports fluctuated widely, with a 2.5-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018. In 2020, SADC imported 27 960 t of maize bran, sharps and residues, a decrease of 57.7% year-over-year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 26 592 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 66 129 t. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 148.7%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, SADC's imports of maize bran, sharps and residues declined. In 2020, imports totaled 15 051 K $ US, showing a steep year-over-year drop of 31.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 21 975 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the leading supplier of maize bran, sharps and residues to SADC in value terms, accounting for 1.6% of total imports.

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

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