Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Niger

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Niger rose sharply to 97 864 metric tons in 2019 from 79 933 metric tons in 2018, then declined to 80 303 metric tons in 2020. It stabilized near 79 812 metric tons in 2021 before a more pronounced contraction to 71 092 metric tons in 2022, ending the period at 70 588 metric tons in 2023.

A 2.3% increase in irrigated production during 2021 helped bolster local supply and contributed to the market's stability that year. The following year, a major state intervention under the 3N Program distributed 77 000 metric tons of cereals free of charge to vulnerable populations. This large-scale distribution, alongside favorable harvests and improved storage capacity, coincided with a significant reduction in commercial imports, shaping the market's lower volume.

In 2024, authorities introduced an export ban on cereals to ensure domestic availability and launched the multi-year Great Irrigation Program aimed at expanding irrigated farmland to boost national wheat production. These measures were accompanied by operations to sell cereals at moderated prices and targeted free distributions in several regions to regulate the market.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Niger

In kind, 2017-2020, 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 Niger declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Niger produced 3,061 tonnes of these products, which represents a 51.3% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 61.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 27.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10,251 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 27.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Niger in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Niger's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production value also declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,329 thousand US dollars, marking a 60.9% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 70.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 33.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5,694 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 26.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Niger

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 357-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Niger exported 40 tonnes of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, representing a sharp increase of 1,042.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria, Mali, and Benin consistently held the top positions in Niger's export structure by volume. Algeria accounted for 42.9% of exports, Mali for 17.3%, and Benin for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 71.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 2 thousand US dollars and reached their highest in 2017, with a 369-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Niger exported 17 thousand US dollars worth of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, showing a significant year-on-year improvement of 816.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 99.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria, Mali, and Benin remained the leading buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Niger in value terms. Algeria accounted for 42.2% of export value, Mali for 18.8%, and Benin for 9.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 70.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Niger

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Niger's volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports declined. In 2020, Niger imported 77,282 tonnes, down by 15.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 70.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 19.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 91,587 tonnes, while the largest increase of 55.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Algeria and Ghana were the key partner countries for Niger's imports by volume, together accounting for 81.1% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Niger's cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour and cereals totaled 33,365 thousand US dollars, showing a strong improvement of 10.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 46.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 13.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.3%, while the largest increase of 46.9% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria, Ghana, and Togo formed the core group of markets for Niger's imports by value. Algeria accounted for 40.2% of import value, Ghana for 36.4%, and Togo for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 85.5% of total import flows.

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

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