Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African wheat and meslin flour and cereals market volume increased from 44 630 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 49 189 thousand tonnes in 2023, reflecting overall growth of more than 10% over the five-year period. This expansion was driven by a consistent upward trend that peaked in 2021 at 49 572 thousand tonnes.

A modest contraction to 48 472 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, followed by a partial recovery to 49 189 thousand tonnes in 2023. The market maintained volumes above 47 000 thousand tonnes throughout the entire timeframe, indicating sustained demand.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Africa's production of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 46 707 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable pattern over the years. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the low point in 2017 and the peak in 2018. In 2020, Africa's exports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals reached 799 thousand tonnes, up 16.8% from the year before. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 988 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 30.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 105.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for wheat, meslin flour, and cereals was quite diversified. Yemen accounted for 10.1% of exports, Palestine for 2.4%, and Syria for 1.2%. Together, these three countries made up just 13.8% of total flows, with no single nation holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Africa's exports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 404.1 million US dollars, a notable drop of 13.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 22.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 6.9%. The peak value was in 2019 at 464.6 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 38.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Yemen, Palestine, and Syria were the top buyers of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals from Africa in value terms, with shares of 10.0%, 2.4%, and 1.3%, respectively. However, their combined contribution was only 13.6% of total exports, highlighting a diversified market structure.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Africa's imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals in volume terms increased. In 2020, imports stood at 1 463 thousand tonnes, up 3.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 1 415 thousand tonnes, and the largest drop was in 2018, falling by 22.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa imported wheat, meslin flour, and cereals from many countries. Even the top destinations—Turkey, France, and Portugal—together represented only 47.3% of total imports in volume, indicating a broad supplier base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals in value terms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 644.2 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.8%, averaging an annualized decline of 8.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, wheat, meslin flour, and cereals were imported into Africa from a wide range of markets. Turkey accounted for 35.8% of imports in value, France for 5.8%, and Belgium for 4.4%. Together, these three countries made up 46.0% of total imports, while numerous smaller suppliers contributed the remaining 54.0%.

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

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