Maize flour and cereals market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the maize flour and cereals market in Eswatini expanded steadily, driven by government interventions through the National Maize Corporation (NMC). The NMC's gazetted producer prices, which rose from E2,750 per tonne in 2018/19 to E3,100 per tonne in 2020/21, encouraged local supply and supported production growth. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a spike in demand for staple foods like maize meal, further boosting market volume despite drought conditions that affected raw maize yields. Imports from South Africa, managed by the NMC, remained essential to cover domestic shortfalls.

Market growth continued from 2021 to 2023, bolstered by favorable rainfall that led to above-average maize harvests. Agricultural initiatives, including training for smallholder farmers in soil analysis and post-harvest techniques through partnerships with the World Food Programme, helped improve yields and support production. The NMC maintained its central role in procurement and price regulation, while regional maize price decreases from South Africa in 2022 eased some cost pressures. By 2024, the market structure remained reliant on imports from South Africa, with ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce import dependency through climate-smart practices and food fortification programs.

Production maize flour and cereals in Eswatini

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

Eswatini's production of maize flour and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 102.0 K t, marking a 3.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

Exports of maize flour and cereals from Eswatini have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were recorded at 0.0 t, a sharp decline of 99.8% compared to 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, exports dropped by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate of -95.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lesotho was the primary buyer of maize flour and cereals from Eswatini, accounting for 75.6% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals exports from Eswatini has decreased for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports reached 0.0 K $ US, reflecting a year-on-year drop of 99.7%. Between 2017 and 2019, exports fell by 100%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -94.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Lesotho dominated as the main destination for Eswatini's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms, making up 87.7% of total flows. The rest was shared among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

The import market for maize flour and cereals in Eswatini showed significant fluctuations over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 445 t, then surged to {value_last_year} t in 2020, representing a sharp increase of 127.9% from the previous year. The peak was in 2017, with imports 4.3 times higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 74.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the United States were the two leading sources of maize flour and cereals imports to Eswatini, together accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, imports of maize flour and cereals into Eswatini rebounded in 2020. That year, imports amounted to 356.0 K $ US, a steep rise of 67.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 59.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 212.7 K $ US, and the largest decline that year was 65.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import landscape in value terms was largely shaped by South Africa and the United States, which together represented 100.0% of total imports.

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

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