Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Mozambique fluctuated, with the market volume moving from 491 500 tons to 503 800 tons. Mozambique's heavy reliance on wheat imports and low corn productivity constrained local cereal output, while government and partner programs provided agricultural inputs and certified seeds to smallholder farmers, particularly in Manica province, to bolster production.

A sharp 56.2% increase in global wheat prices in 2021 pressured local food costs and prompted companies to seek new suppliers outside Ukraine. This price surge coincided with a significant market expansion to 588 600 tons as domestic production rose above 600 000 tons. However, by 2022, the market volume contracted to 449 900 tons, even as seed producer registration and ongoing input support aimed to strengthen the local supply chain.

The 2022/23 agricultural season faced an erratic start to the rains, delaying planting and harvests for key cereals. Despite this, the market recovered to 532 100 tons in 2023, with stable or elevated prices for corn flour reflecting persistent demand. Through 2024, continued government and partner provision of seeds and inputs to thousands of families in Manica highlighted efforts to increase production and food security, though agricultural productivity remained low due to limited use of inputs and technology.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Mozambique

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

After two years of decline, wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Mozambique increased. In 2020, Mozambique produced 533.2 K t, marking a 7.1% improvement from the previous year. Production fell by 16.7% between 2017 and 2020, averaging a 5.9% annual decrease. The lowest output was in 2019 at 497.6 K t, with the steepest drop of 19.7% occurring in 2018.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

Exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Mozambique rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 30 865 t, a significant 25.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 202.6%, averaging a 44.6% annual growth rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the leading export partner for wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Mozambique, accounting for 78.8% of total shipments, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility during this period. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments totaled 4 776 K $ US, a strong 16.5% rise from the previous year. The minimum value was 2 291 K $ US in 2018, which saw the smallest decline of 0.1%, while the largest increase of 79.0% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa (56.5% of export value), Zimbabwe (22.9%), and Eswatini (12.8%) were the main buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Mozambique, together representing 92.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments to Mozambique amounted to 1 433 t, a 369.6% jump from the previous year. The minimum was 305 t in 2019, with the largest decline of 73.5% recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—South Africa, the United Kingdom, and India—collectively accounted for 79.4% of total imports in kind of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Mozambique.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations. Imports in value terms fell to their lowest in 2018 and rose to a peak in 2020, with a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, Mozambique imported 563 K $ US worth of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, a 182.5% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was 196 K $ US in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 62.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, South Africa (53.4% of import value), the United Kingdom (16.8%), and India (8.7%) contributed the most to imports in value terms, jointly making up 78.9% of total flows.

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

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