Maize flour and cereals market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

Zimbabwe's maize flour and cereals market volume fell from 1 172 thousand tons in 2018 to 908 thousand tons in 2023. The decline was driven by the Grain Marketing Board's (GMB) strict control over maize sales, enforced through Statutory Instrument 140 (2013) and later amendments that set producer-price ceilings and limited private millers' access to grain.

During the same period, government policy prioritized wheat production, with planting area expanding from 34 000 ha to over 90 000 ha by 2023. However, licensing rules under SI 140 restricted new processing firms from entering the maize sector, capping milling capacity investment.

By 2024, drought conditions led to approvals for GM maize imports and fertilizer duty removals to bolster yields. A new grain-sourcing rule also mandated local procurement, aiming to reduce import dependence while addressing production constraints.

Production maize flour and cereals in Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe's production of maize flour and cereals reached its highest point in 2018 at 1 170 thousand metric tons. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 1 001 thousand metric tons, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 14.5%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 2.4%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, K t

Zimbabwe's exports of maize flour and cereals showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 thousand metric tons, while exports peaked in 2020 at 0.3 thousand metric tons, representing a 93.6% increase from the previous year. This fluctuation resulted in a 5.6-fold difference between the high and low points. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 3.7%, while the most substantial increase was seen in 2019, soaring by 189.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa served as the primary destination for Zimbabwe's maize flour and cereals exports, accounting for 74.0% of total export volumes. Other markets played a relatively minor role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zimbabwe's export value of maize flour and cereals declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 24 thousand US dollars, which was 28.8% lower than the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 43 thousand US dollars, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 9.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, total exports decreased by 39%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 15.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and Zambia together dominated Zimbabwe's maize flour and cereals export market in value terms. South Africa accounted for 66.0% of total exports, while Zambia contributed 14.8%, combining for 80.8% of the total. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, K t

Zimbabwe's imports of maize flour and cereals experienced significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 thousand metric tons, while imports surged to 139.6 thousand metric tons in 2020, representing a dramatic 16,221.9% increase from the previous year. This created a 163-fold gap between the peak and trough. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 89.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa overwhelmingly dominated Zimbabwe's maize flour and cereals imports by volume, accounting for 95.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Zimbabwe's import value of maize flour and cereals showed high volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 309 thousand US dollars, while imports skyrocketed to 48 072 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking an extraordinary 15,436.4% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 155-fold difference between the peak and trough. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 91.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa consistently dominated Zimbabwe's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms, accounting for 93.5% of total import flows throughout the period.

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

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