Maize flour and cereals market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Senegal declined from 652 thousand tons in 2018 to 613 thousand tons in 2020. This contraction was driven by weak formal contracting between processors and producers, which slowed down the value chain, and by stagnation in maize production despite government seed subsidies. An unenforced 1979 decree mandating a 20% inclusion of local cereals in bread also failed to stimulate demand.

From 2021, the market recovered, reaching 727 thousand tons in 2023. Growth was fueled by the entry of new industrial millers like NMA, Sedima, Olam, and MDS, which expanded processing capacity. Additionally, the expansion of cultivated areas through subsidized fertilizers and seeds, along with rising industrial demand for local maize from processors, boosted production. Promotion of bread made from local cereals further supported consumption.

In 2024, the government set price caps for wheat flour and exempted it from VAT, increasing competition with imported wheat, while also launching new seed subsidy campaigns and reinforcing the role of state-owned SEMAC in market regulation.

Production maize flour and cereals in Senegal

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

Senegal's production of maize flour and cereals declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 609.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 22%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The highest production level was reached in 2018 at 648.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 29.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 4.3%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

Senegal's exports of maize flour and cereals fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 26 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 58.1% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 69.6%, with an average annual decline of 32.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Mali, and Sierra Leone were consistently the top destinations for Senegal's maize flour and cereal exports by volume. France accounted for 32.9% of exports, Mali for 16.5%, and Sierra Leone for 15.7%. Together, these three countries made up 65.2% of Senegal's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Senegal's exports of maize flour and cereals in value terms declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 16 thousand US dollars, showing a significant drop of 48.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of exports fell by 49.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 20.3%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 44 thousand US dollars, when exports surged by 37.0%—the largest increase observed during this timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and Sierra Leone remained the primary buyers of Senegal's maize flour and cereals by value. France led with 33.1% of export value, followed by Spain at 18.9%, and Sierra Leone at 18.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 70.2% of Senegal's total export value during these years.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Senegal's imports of maize flour and cereals showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 724 tonnes, reflecting a dramatic decrease of 46.5% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 091 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 75.8%. Over the period, imports varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the peak in 2019, resulting in a two-fold difference between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Spain, and India were the main sources of maize flour and cereal imports to Senegal by volume. Turkey contributed 28.6% of imports, Spain 24.2%, and India 21.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 73.7% of Senegal's total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Senegal's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms experienced considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 1 735 thousand US dollars, showing no change from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 915 thousand US dollars, which saw a decline of 2.4%—the largest drop in the period. In contrast, imports peaked in 2019 at 1 737 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 89.9%. Overall, imports swung by 1.9 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Turkey, and India were the key markets for Senegal's maize flour and cereal imports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.1% of the total import value during this period.

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

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