Maize flour and cereals market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize flour and cereals in Gabon fluctuated over the period, starting at 32 thousand tons in 2018. That year, flour production increased due to a recovery in local demand, supporting overall market volume. The market is characterized by the dominance of SMAG, a subsidiary of SOMDIAA, which supplies about 70% of the country's flour. In 2019, the market volume stabilized slightly below 2018 levels at 31.6 thousand tons, despite rising global wheat prices, which were mitigated by Gabon's reliance on wheat imports from France. The following year, the launch of the National Agricultural Investment and Food Security Plan (PNIASAN) aimed at boosting local grain production contributed to market growth, pushing the volume to 33 thousand tons in 2020.

A sharp rise in international wheat and maize prices in 2021 led to a contraction in the market volume to 32 thousand tons, even as the government signaled its intent to stabilize retail flour prices for bakers. In response to continued price pressures and geopolitical tensions in 2022, the government began promoting the use of cassava flour in bread production, a measure that helped the market recover to 33.6 thousand tons. Concurrently, agricultural fairs placed greater emphasis on labeling and traceability standards for flour and other processed goods. The market volume continued its upward trajectory in 2023, reaching 36.9 thousand tons.

Production maize flour and cereals in Gabon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Gabon produced 25,920 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a controlled 4.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.3%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Gabon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Gabon

Exports in kind, t

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of exports in kind showed a strong reliance on Turkey, which accounted for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant buyer of maize flour and cereals from Gabon, representing 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Gabon

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals to Gabon increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 7,128 tonnes, reflecting a modest 6.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for imports in kind of maize flour and cereals to Gabon were Spain (47.9% of imports in kind), France (26.4% of imports in kind), and Hungary (10.2% of imports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 84.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Gabon's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms increased. In 2020, import value reached 3,084 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.1% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2,852 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (46.5% of imports in value terms), France (28.8% of imports in value terms), and Hungary (9.8% of imports in value terms) were the primary suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Gabon. Collectively, these three countries made up 85.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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