Maize flour and cereals market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the maize flour and cereals market in Mauritius experienced volatile movements. The market volume stood at 3 781 t in 2018, supported by a growing consumer trend towards organic and nutritious products, with local suppliers like Moulins de la Concorde ensuring consistent quality. However, the market contracted to 3 619 t in 2019. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic heightened focus on food self-sufficiency, boosting demand for staple foods including maize flour and cereals and driving the market volume up to 4 188 t.

After the 2020 peak, the market fell sharply to 3 170 t in 2021, aligning with a post-lockdown slowdown in the sector, although demand for specialized organic and gluten-free products continued to grow. Recovery began in 2022 as the market expanded to 3 748 t, partly fueled by increased consumption of oat-based and other breakfast cereals, alongside updated regulations capping mark-ups on essential goods like rice and legumes to protect consumers. Growth continued into 2023, with the market reaching 3 928 t, as government flour subsidies helped maintain affordable prices despite global inflationary pressures from the war in Ukraine.

Consumer preferences increasingly favored healthy, local, and gluten-free options, influencing product offerings. Importers such as Quality Beverages Limited reported rising sales of breakfast cereals, while the broader starch market saw efforts to boost local potato production. These trends pointed to sustained demand, even as a growing food trade deficit highlighted ongoing import reliance.

Production maize flour and cereals in Mauritius

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

Mauritius has seen its maize flour and cereals production grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 794 tonnes, representing a 17.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 222 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year decline of 1.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

The export market for maize flour and cereals from Mauritius showed significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a dramatic 22-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports totaled just 1.3 tonnes, marking a sharp 64.6% drop from 2019. The smallest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 95.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 1 485.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Seychelles emerged as the dominant export markets for Mauritius's maize flour and cereals in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 89.2% of all exports, with the remaining share going to other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for maize flour and cereals from Mauritius were highly volatile during these years. The highest value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest came in 2018, showing an 11-fold fluctuation. In 2020, exports amounted to 4.0 thousand US dollars, down 44.2% from the previous year. The minimum value of 0.9 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2018, which also saw the largest decline of 90.9%. Conversely, 2019 registered the biggest increase at 737.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Seychelles, and South Africa were the primary destinations for Mauritius's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms. France accounted for 49.4% of export value, Seychelles for 30.2%, and South Africa for 20.4%, together making up 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Mauritius imported 395.7 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, a 4.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 380.3 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 559.1 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 32.0%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 20.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, India, and Thailand remained the main suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Mauritius in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 32.9% of imports, India for 29.4%, and Thailand for 16.7%, together comprising 79.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals imported by Mauritius totaled 315.9 thousand US dollars, up 11.6% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 283.1 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 360.2 thousand US dollars. The largest decline of 21.4% occurred in 2019.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, India, Thailand, and Brazil were the leading sources of maize flour and cereals imports to Mauritius in value terms. India accounted for 24.9% of import value, Thailand for 22.6%, and Brazil for 20.8%, together making up 68.3% of total imports.

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

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