Maize flour and cereals market in Angola

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Angola's maize flour and cereals production rose from 1 065 thousand tonnes to 1 455 thousand tonnes, supported by substantial government investment in agriculture. The Sovereign Fund of Angola allocated $250 million to develop seven farms, while the operationalization of the Pedras Negras farm in Malanje aimed specifically to boost national cereal output and reduce imports. This policy focus on food self-sufficiency was reinforced during the 2019/2020 agricultural campaign, which prioritized maize and other grains, expanding domestic production capacity.

The creation of the Strategic Food Reserve (REA) in late 2021 provided a guaranteed outlet for local producers, further incentivizing output and helping stabilize prices for essential goods like maize flour. High maize yields in regions such as Huíla led to significant local price reductions in 2022. Despite a currency crisis in 2023 that forced the exit of a major miller, Namib Mills, private investment countered this shock with the launch of a new wheat milling plant, aiming to cut flour imports by 60% and maintain supply.

Consequently, the total market volume for maize flour and cereals grew from 1 285 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 505 thousand tonnes in 2023, as increasing domestic production steadily replaced imports. This expansion was underpinned by ongoing government efforts to increase cultivated area and support local factories, including new processing units in Huambo, which bolstered the market's resilience amid periodic currency and inflationary pressures.

Production maize flour and cereals in Angola

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

Maize flour and cereals production in Angola has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Angola produced 1 180 K t of maize flour and cereals, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 2.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 35.2%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 10.6%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Angola

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 12.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, maize flour and cereals exports from Angola amounted to 0.2 K t, representing a sharp decrease of 92.3% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2.7 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 623.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Angola's maize flour and cereals exports were heavily dependent on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 99.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export volumes dropped to a minimum in 2020 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, showing a 7.9-fold shift. In 2020, Angola exported 0.2 M $ US of maize flour and cereals, which is 87.3% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1.2 M $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a growth of 140.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize flour and cereals from Angola were supplied almost exclusively to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which absorbed 99.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Angola

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals to Angola declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Angola imported 149.5 K t of maize flour and cereals, reflecting an 8.5% drop from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 66%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -30.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey were the main sources for maize flour and cereals imports to Angola, together accounting for 85.3% of total imports in kind. Specifically, Brazil contributed 43.4%, South Africa 33.9%, and Turkey 7.9%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, maize flour and cereals shipments to Angola from abroad increased. In 2020, Angola imported a total of 61.7 M $ US of maize flour and cereals, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 64.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -29.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 61.4 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 43.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and South Africa acted as the dominant destinations for imports in value terms, jointly taking 82.1% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

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