Maize flour and cereals market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

Starting in 2018, the maize flour and cereals market in Burkina Faso stood at 1.3 million tons, supported by investments in processing capacity such as AgroServ Industrie's automated lines that strengthened local production. The market volume then declined to 1.0 million tons in 2019 before a slight recovery to 1.1 million tons in 2020.

A significant expansion to 1.3 million tons occurred in 2021. The following year, poor rainfall and a security crisis drove cereal prices up by 21%, and government price controls along with grain seizures reflected supply constraints, reducing the market to 1.2 million tons. Simultaneously, rising costs of imported wheat flour encouraged bakers to adopt local cereals, including maize, creating a new demand segment.

By 2023, the market recovered to 1.3 million tons, aided by improved cereal production estimated at 5.2 million tons and continued government support for local crops. Plans for 2024 include expanding wheat seed cultivation areas, which may further strengthen the grain sector.

Production maize flour and cereals in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Burkina Faso ranked as the 30th largest global producer of maize flour and cereals.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, Burkina Faso's production of maize flour and cereals rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 1 058 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 21.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 014 thousand tonnes, which also saw the sharpest annual decline of 19.5%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 24-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Burkina Faso exported 16 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, representing an 87.7% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Niger dominated Burkina Faso's exports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility throughout this period. Export values hit their lowest in 2018 and reached their highest in 2020, showing a substantial 43-fold gap. In 2020, exports of maize flour and cereals from Burkina Faso totaled 16 thousand US dollars, down 89.4% year-over-year.

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

During 2017-2020, France and Niger were the primary markets for Burkina Faso's exports in value terms. France accounted for 84.8% of total flows, while Niger made up 15.2%, together comprising 100.0% of exports.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, t

The market followed an unstable trajectory over these years. Import volumes dropped to their lowest in 2018 and climbed to their peak in 2020, with a 3.3-fold variation. In 2020, Burkina Faso imported approximately 5 213 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, a 39.1% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was 1 580 tonnes in 2018, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 42.4%. Conversely, 2019 saw the most significant growth, with imports surging by 137.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Poland, and the United States were the main sources for Burkina Faso's imports in kind. Spain contributed 42.7% of imports, Poland 19.8%, and the United States 13.0%, collectively making up 75.5% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility defined the market during these years. Import values varied 3.2 times, from the low in 2018 to the high in 2020. In 2020, imports of maize flour and cereals into Burkina Faso amounted to 2 623 thousand US dollars, up 30.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 821 thousand US dollars, which also saw the steepest annual drop of 46.9%. In contrast, 2019 registered the highest annual increase at 144.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United States, and Poland were the key origins for Burkina Faso's imports in value terms. Spain held 39.6% of the import value, the United States 19.9%, and Poland 18.1%, together representing 77.5% of total import flows.

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

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