Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Mauritius contracted from 116.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 90.8 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by increasing production costs, compounded by the country's heavy reliance on wheat imports and export restrictions from key suppliers like India and China. In 2019, the government introduced a zero VAT rate on household bread and baguettes to alleviate pressure on bakers and consumers, but persistently high prices for flour and other ingredients continued to squeeze industry margins. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely disrupted global supply chains, further elevating raw material and fuel costs and accelerating the market downturn.

Market volume rebounded to 100.0 thousand tons in 2021 and grew steadily to 112.4 thousand tons by 2023. Government intervention, including maintaining a fixed retail price for household bread and providing flour subsidies, helped stabilize demand in the post-pandemic period. From 2022 onward, a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier and locally sourced food products provided a new impetus for market expansion, supporting continued consumption growth.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Mauritius

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 Mauritius declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 100.0 K t, representing a 12.6% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 20%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 127.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Mauritius's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 39 136 K $ US, marking a notable decline of 13.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 50 937 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mauritius in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

Mauritius exported 10 191 t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in 2020, marking a fall of 17.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 31.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 22.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Comoros, and Madagascar formed the main group of destinations for Mauritius's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in kind. France accounted for 50.9% of exports, Comoros for 17.3%, and Madagascar for 17.2%, with these three countries together representing 85.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Mauritius exported 3 988 K $ US of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in 2020, down by 18.0% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Seychelles, and Comoros were the main destinations for Mauritius's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms. France accounted for 48.9% of exports, Seychelles for 18.3%, and Comoros for 17.5%, with these three countries together absorbing 84.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

Mauritius's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 987 t, showing an increase of 11.7% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 39.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the main market for Mauritius's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports in kind, with a share of 81.1% of total flows. The rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports in Mauritius increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, a total of value_last_year K $ US was imported, showing an uptick of 7.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 61%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was strongly focused on India, whose share reached 74.2% of total flows. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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