Maize bran, sharps and residues market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize bran, sharps and residues in Zimbabwe experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a stable start, market volume surged to 146.5 thousand tons in 2020, representing a notable peak for the period. This increase was driven primarily by a sharp rise in imports, which offset a concurrent decline in domestic production. Following this peak, the total market size contracted for three consecutive years, settling at 116.5 thousand tons by 2023.

The shifting balance of trade was a key feature of the market's dynamics. Exports, which accounted for a substantial share of supply in 2018 and 2019, fell to negligible levels from 2020 onward. Meanwhile, import volumes were highly volatile, spiking in 2020 and again showing an upward trend in the latest data. Domestic production followed a steady downward trajectory throughout the period, declining from 130 thousand tons to 109.8 thousand tons.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in Zimbabwe

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, Zimbabwe produced 122.1 thousand tons of maize bran, sharps, and residues, representing a 6.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.1% overall, which translates to an average annual rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 130.0 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 8.7%.

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

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a staggering 9,660-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues amounted to 439 tons, marking a sharp 97.0% decline from the previous year. The peak export volume was reached in 2019 at 14,490 tons, and the largest percentage increase was observed in 2018 at 629,934.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues were almost entirely directed to South Africa, which accounted for 98.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated notable volatility over the observed years. The minimum export value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum was in 2019, with a 5,500-fold variation between these two points. In 2020, Zimbabwe's export value for maize bran, sharps, and residues stood at 37 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 97.2% drop compared to the prior year. The highest export value was achieved in 2019 at 1,320 thousand US dollars, and the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 375,700.9%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Zimbabwe's export value for maize bran, sharps, and residues was overwhelmingly concentrated in South Africa, which represented 98.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility in these years. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019, while the highest was in 2020, with a 207-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Zimbabwe's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues reached 24,851 tons, indicating a dramatic 20,609.5% increase from the previous year. The minimum import volume was 120 tons in 2019, and the largest percentage decline occurred that same year at 96.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia was the primary source for Zimbabwe's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues, accounting for 79.3% of total import volumes, while the remainder was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 127-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe's import value for maize bran, sharps, and residues totaled 1,964 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 12,640.3% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was 15 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest percentage decline was also recorded that year at 94.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe's import value for maize bran, sharps, and residues was largely focused on Zambia and Malawi, which together made up 95.3% of total import flows, with other destinations playing a minor role.

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

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