Maize flour and cereals market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Côte d'Ivoire showed initial stability from 2018 to 2019, with volume edging up from 403 thousand tons to 412 thousand tons. This period was characterized by steady domestic maize production and no major regulatory shifts, keeping the market dominated by large millers like Grands Moulins d’Abidjan. In 2019, rising prices for maize and wheat increased production costs, which contributed to a drop in the market's value despite the slight volume gain. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and raised logistics expenses, yet market volume surged to 535 thousand tons, likely as households stocked staple foods amid the crisis.

Investment in production capacity became a key driver from 2021 onward. Seaboard, through Grands Moulins d’Abidjan, invested in backup power generators and expanded milling capacity to 1,000 tons per day, supporting higher output. This helped lift market volume to 539 thousand tons in 2021. The following year, government policy actively promoted local flour use. A subsidy of 6.4 billion CFA francs was introduced to offset soaring wheat import costs due to the war in Ukraine, while regulations authorized "composite bread" with 15% local flour. These measures, alongside the entry of new private processors like Ramacereal, spurred demand and pushed market volume to a peak of 648 thousand tons in 2022.

In 2023, the removal of the wheat flour subsidy increased bread-making costs, leading to a 17% price hike for flour bags. This contributed to a market volume correction to 520 thousand tons. However, authorities intensified the "Made in Côte d'Ivoire" campaign, encouraging bakers to use local flours. Product innovation also advanced, with developments like composite flour and bread incorporating up to 30% local maize flour, aiming to reduce dependency on wheat imports and stabilize the market.

Production maize flour and cereals in Côte d'Ivoire

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

Côte d'Ivoire's maize flour and cereals production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 522.0 K t, marking a significant 30.5% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 391.0 K t, with the largest decline of 1.8% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of maize flour and cereals in Côte d'Ivoire reached 209.6 M $ US, showing a 20.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 174.3 M $ US, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 237.3 M $ US. The largest decline of 26.6% was observed in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from Côte d'Ivoire have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 345 t, representing a sharp rise of 153.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 201.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 44.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Liberia, and Canada were the largest buyers of maize flour and cereals from Côte d'Ivoire. France accounted for 46.6% of exports in kind, Liberia for 10.0%, and Canada for 9.5%. Together, these three countries formed 66.0% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from Côte d'Ivoire stood at 138 K $ US, which is 134.0% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 59 K $ US, with the largest decline of 23.9% also occurring that year. Volumes reached their peak in 2020 and dropped to their lowest point in 2019, showing a 2.3-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Canada, and Belgium formed the core group of markets for exports in value terms. France accounted for 45.1% of exports in value, Canada for 17.7%, and Belgium for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 72.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Côte d'Ivoire imported approximately 12 972 t of maize flour and cereals in 2020, marking a moderate rise of 9.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 58.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.6%. The largest decline of 1.9% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 47.4% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, France, and Turkey were the principal suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Côte d'Ivoire. Spain accounted for 41.9% of imports in kind, France for 21.3%, and Turkey for 15.1%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 78.4% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, maize flour and cereals deliveries to Côte d'Ivoire were recorded at 5 062 K $ US, indicating a 7.6% increase versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 34.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 153 K $ US. The largest decline of 8.8% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 37.2% was recorded in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Spain, France, and Turkey—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 78.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020