Maize flour and cereals market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Mauritania expanded from 27 431 tons in 2018 to 29 582 tons in 2019. This growth took place alongside the government's 'Emel' plan, which aimed to release 140 000 tons of cereals to mitigate food insecurity, enhancing overall grain availability. Additionally, administrative price controls on bread and regulated flour prices helped maintain stable consumption during this period.

After a decline to 24 317 tons in 2020, market volume recovered to 28 568 tons in 2021. A significant surge followed in 2022, with volume reaching 39 635 tons. This jump was primarily driven by the increased adoption of local millet and maize flour by partner bakeries and the dominant role of Grands Moulins de Mauritanie (GMM), which supplied most of the domestic flour demand and diversified into animal feed and pasta manufacturing.

Market volume fell to 28 231 tons in 2023. Supplies of local cereals such as sorghum and millet were notably below typical levels due to reduced cross-border flows from Mali and Senegal. Concurrently, higher global prices for raw materials and hydrocarbons increased the cost of imported wheat, affecting overall market availability and consumption patterns.

Production maize flour and cereals in Mauritania

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

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mauritania produced 19 541 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a significant reduction of 23.9% compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 25 671 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with production rising by 127.0%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Mauritania

According to industry reports, there were no exports of maize flour and cereals from Mauritania between 2017 and 2020.

Imports maize flour and cereals to Mauritania

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals to Mauritania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 4 775 tonnes, representing a strong rise of 22.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 20.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 861 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with imports falling by 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two countries—Morocco and Spain—accounted for the majority of maize flour and cereal imports to Mauritania, while other markets played a less significant role individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest value in 2018 and their highest in 2017, with a 2.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the value of maize flour and cereal imports to Mauritania amounted to 1 256 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 86.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 664 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with imports falling by 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Spain, Morocco, and Italy—dominated imports in value terms, together accounting for 89.1% of total flows.

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

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