Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in the SADC region showed consistent growth from 2018 to 2021, with volume increasing from 5 380 thousand tonnes to 6 123 thousand tonnes. This expansion was underpinned by rising domestic production, which climbed over 600 thousand tonnes during the period.

Market volume contracted to 5 720 thousand tonnes in 2022, a decrease influenced by exchange rate fluctuations and increased input costs that pressured agricultural trade and supply chains within the region. The market rebounded strongly in 2023, reaching a new peak of 6 317 thousand tonnes as production recovered to nearly 6 000 thousand tonnes.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in SADC

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

SADC's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 264 K t, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 95.8 K t, then peaked in 2018 at 373.5 K t—a difference of 3.9 times between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in SADC totaled 144.2 K t, representing a sharp increase of 50.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 74.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 52.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Kenya, and Portugal were the key destinations for exports in kind. France accounted for 3.2% of exports, Kenya for 1.9%, and Portugal for 1.3%, together making up 6.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in SADC amounted to 67.7 M $ US, up 3.8% from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 31.3%, averaging an annual decline of 11.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 65.2 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 119.7 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 45.5% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Kenya formed the main group of markets for exports in value terms, together accounting for 4.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, SADC's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased. In 2020, imports reached 702.0 K t, showing a robust gain of 10.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 633.4 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 17.2% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in kind were Turkey, Egypt, and Portugal, together accounting for 64.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

SADC's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 258.3 M $ US, down 11.8% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for imports in value terms were Turkey, Egypt, and Belgium, together taking 59.3% of total flows.

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

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