Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced rapid expansion. Production surged from 170 thousand tons in 2018 to 453 thousand tons in 2021, driving overall market volume up by 144% over the period. Imports fluctuated but remained a supplementary source, while exports were negligible.

This growth trend reversed in 2022 when the market contracted by 23% to 365 thousand tons. A key driver was a 14.3% surge in food prices linked to high global cereal costs and unfavorable weather, which dampened consumption. Concurrently, the government launched a policy to incorporate cassava flour into bakery products, aiming to reduce wheat imports and develop the local cassava sector. This initiative, supported by the African Development Bank, began shifting demand away from pure wheat flour. In 2023, the market further declined to 305 thousand tons as the agricultural transformation agenda (ATA-RDC) continued promoting cassava-based bread to cut wheat dependency. The establishment of the National Cereals Office (ONACER) in 2022 also signaled a state-led push to reorganize grain production and marketing.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Democratic Republic of the 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

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 268.4 thousand tonnes, marking a 53.0% year-over-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 170.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 38.0%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports fell to 3 tonnes, representing a 78.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 99.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 86.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was dominated by Congo, which accounted for 79.2% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign wheat and meslin flour and cereals supplies from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.3 thousand US dollars, down by 46.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 91.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was centered on Congo, whose share reached 86.5% of total flows, while other markets contributed less significantly.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, imported wheat and meslin flour and cereals volumes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined. In 2020, imports totaled 25 530 tonnes, which is 30.1% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 33.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 36 517 tonnes, with the largest increase of 46.7% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core of imports in kind consisted of the Netherlands (24.8% of imports in kind), Uganda (16.4% of imports in kind), and Rwanda (13.3% of imports in kind), together accounting for 54.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, wheat and meslin flour and cereals import volumes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 9 580 thousand US dollars, which is 17.8% weaker compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 11 652 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 24.7% occurring that year.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms were the Netherlands (32.1% of imports in value terms), Belgium (15.4% of imports in value terms), and Rwanda (12.9% of imports in value terms), together forming 60.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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