Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin flour market in Congo has long been heavily reliant on imports, with around 800 000 tonnes of wheat imported annually due to unsuitable local growing conditions. Domestic production was initially minimal, but government programs aimed to develop the sector from 2018 onward. By 2019, initiatives to promote improved processing of fermented cassava flour indicated a broader shift toward alternative local flours, though the primary wheat flour market remained import-dependent.

A significant production surge occurred in 2021, when output jumped to 187 000 tonnes. This growth was directly supported by the state-owned Grand Moulin de Kinshasa, which operated with substantial monthly capacity for wheat and corn flour. Concurrently, the government implemented safeguard measures for local industry and actively encouraged producers to increase output of 'made in DRC' products, creating a favorable environment for domestic manufacturing.

The market contracted in 2022 and 2023, with production falling to 163 000 tonnes by 2023. The decline was primarily triggered by the war in Ukraine, which caused a global spike in cereal prices and disrupted supply chains, severely impacting Congo's flour market. In response, authorities pushed for the adoption of cassava flour as a wheat substitute and mandated the incorporation of local flours in baked goods. New local production initiatives, such as the Virunga Origins wheat flour project backed by the European Union, aimed to restructure the value chain, but could not offset the immediate external shock within the period.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Congo

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

Congo's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals saw a two-year improvement before declining. In 2020, production stood at 154.8 K t, marking a moderate year-over-year drop of 3.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production increased by 75.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 20.6%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 160.4 K t, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 58.1%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Congo

Exports in kind, K t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Congo's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals were directed almost entirely to Angola, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Congo's export value for wheat and meslin flour and cereals was heavily reliant on Angola, with this market making up 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Congo

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1.9 K t, after a high in 2017, with a 55-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports rose to 2.6 K t, representing a 37.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 90.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Congo's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind were Turkey (49.3%), Belgium (26.4%), and France (8.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 84.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values hit their lowest point in 2019 at 829 K $ US, following a peak in 2017, with a 48-fold gap between these extremes. In 2020, import values increased to 1 126 K $ US, up by 35.9% year-over-year. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, at 88.7%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Turkey (48.6% of imports in value terms), Belgium (27.3%), and France (10.4%) dominated the import structure for wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Congo, collectively representing 86.3% of total flows.

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

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