Maize flour and cereals market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Western Africa experienced a slight dip in 2019 to 9.6 million tons before entering a phase of sustained expansion. From 2020 onwards, market volume grew steadily, reaching 10.4 million tons by 2023. This increase was underpinned by a rise in domestic production, which exceeded 10 million tons from 2020 and continued to climb each year.

International grain market dynamics played a significant role in the latter part of the period. A sharp surge in global maize and cereal prices in 2022, driven by the war in Ukraine and worldwide market tensions, increased import costs for the region. Despite these higher costs, the total market volume continued to grow, supported by a notable increase in imports. By 2023, cereal prices eased due to abundant supply and competition from Black Sea grain, which likely helped sustain import flows. Concurrent efforts in major exporting countries to promote organic and responsible production also emerged as factors that could influence trade patterns and consumer preferences in West Africa.

Production maize flour and cereals in Western Africa

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

In 2019, Western Africa produced 9 550 thousand metric tons of maize flour and cereals, marking the lowest output in recent years with a 0.9% decline. Production rebounded in 2020 to 10 020 thousand metric tons, showing a moderate 4.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 4.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Western Africa's maize flour and cereals exports experienced significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point occurred in 2019 with just 1 069 metric tons, representing a sharp 61.6% decline. Exports then surged in 2020 to 2 561 metric tons, a remarkable 139.6% increase from the previous year. Overall, export volumes varied by 3.6 times between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco emerged as the dominant market for Western Africa's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms, accounting for 39.5% of total shipments. France followed with 5.4% and the United States with 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 50.1% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for maize flour and cereals from Western Africa showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 641 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 28.8% decrease. In 2020, exports jumped to 2 021 thousand US dollars, a dramatic 215.3% increase from the previous year. The difference between the 2019 trough and 2020 peak was 3.2-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Africa's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms were distributed across a broad range of markets. The United States was the largest buyer at 18.0%, followed by Morocco at 10.6% and the Netherlands at 9.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 38.5% of total export value, with numerous other countries holding smaller but meaningful shares.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Western Africa's imports of maize flour and cereals grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 67 427 metric tons. This represented a substantial 46.3% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume during the 2017-2020 period occurred in 2018 at 43 372 metric tons, which was 6.7% lower than the previous year. Over the entire four-year span, imports increased by 45%, averaging 13.2% annual growth.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Turkey was the leading source of maize flour and cereals imports to Western Africa in volume terms, supplying 22.2% of total imports. Spain followed closely with 20.2%, and India contributed 8.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 50.8% of all import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for maize flour and cereals into Western Africa rose for the second straight year in 2020. The lowest point in the 2017-2020 period was in 2018 at 19 757 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.8% decline. By 2020, imports had climbed to [value_last_year] thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 64.7% increase from the previous year. Over the four-year span, import values grew by 65.9%, equivalent to an 18.4% annualized rate.

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

The import market for maize flour and cereals in Western Africa remained fragmented in value terms from 2017 to 2020. Spain led with 16.4% of import value, followed closely by Turkey at 16.2% and the United States at 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 43.2% of total import flows, with no single country achieving a dominant position.

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

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