Market research

Maize flour and cereals market in Africa

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African maize flour and cereals market volume showed steady growth from 47.1 million metric tons in 2018 to 47.4 million metric tons in 2020, with a slight stabilization in 2019. Initial expansion was supported by Ghana's investment in the Ghana Commodity Exchange, which formalized trading and warehousing for smallholder maize farmers. Concurrent population growth and shifting consumption patterns underpinned rising demand.

Market volume accelerated markedly, reaching 51.5 million metric tons by 2023. This surge coincided with record global maize harvests, which increased overall supply. Domestic policies, including temporary grain export bans and emergency relief packages, were implemented to counter price surges and shortages exacerbated by regional drought conditions and dry weather.

In 2024, drought and erratic rainfall continued to constrain local maize production, leading to supply shortages and sustained price inflation. The government responded with emergency measures such as export restrictions, cash transfers to farmers, and plans for maize imports to stabilize the market. Global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions further influenced price volatility.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production maize flour and cereals in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Africa produced 47 316 thousand tons of maize flour and cereals, marking a modest increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.0%	(0.2%)	1.3%	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize flour and cereals from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's maize flour and cereals export volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 444.7 thousand tons, representing a significant surge of 178.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 423.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 73.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	78.6%	5.3%	178.6%	73.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Asia (not elsewhere specified), Special Categories, and the United Kingdom accounted for the largest share of Africa's maize flour and cereals exports in kind. Asia represented 2.4% of exports, Special Categories 1.9%, and the United Kingdom 0.6%, together comprising 5.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Africa's maize flour and cereals exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 243.5 million US dollars, indicating a rise of 31.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 54%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 15.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.1%	17.4%	31.1%	15.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of maize flour and cereals from Africa in value terms were Asia (not elsewhere specified), Special Categories, and the United Kingdom. Asia accounted for 1.5% of exports, Special Categories for 1.2%, and the United Kingdom for 1.0%, together forming 3.7% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize flour and cereals to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals to Africa increased. In 2020, imports reached 524.9 thousand tons, up by 47.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 356.1 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 24.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(24.4%)	(15.2%)	47.4%	(1.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

The data for 2017 to 2020 show that imports of maize flour and cereals to Africa in kind were not heavily concentrated among a few key sources. Brazil accounted for 20.2% of imports, Turkey for 8.0%, and Spain for 5.4%, jointly representing only 33.6% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, Africa's maize flour and cereals imports increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 264.6 million US dollars, marking a rise of 39.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 190.4 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 29.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(29.0%)	(19.7%)	39.0%	(7.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports of maize flour and cereals to Africa in value terms was quite broad. Brazil accounted for 21.9% of imports, Spain for 5.9%, and Turkey for 5.6%, together representing only 33.4% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io