Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Market volume for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Sub-Saharan Africa rose from 19 713 thousand tons in 2018 to 22 467 thousand tons in 2021, driven by increasing production and sustained import levels. In Nigeria, the region's key market, substantial wheat imports in 2021 highlighted persistent demand that complemented domestic output growth.

After a decline to 21 111 thousand tons in 2022, volume partially rebounded to 21 500 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was supported by agricultural input initiatives in Nigeria, such as the distribution of certified heat-tolerant wheat seeds to farmers and expanded fertilizer production capacity, which mitigated the impact of adverse weather and high operational costs on grain production.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Sub-Saharan Africa's production of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 19,950 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals production in Sub-Saharan Africa was $10,363 million US dollars, showing a modest decline of 3.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, production value increased by 8.5%, with an average annual rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $8,721 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at $10,737 million US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2018, with an 8.7% decrease, and the largest rise was in 2019, with a 23.1% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 416 thousand tonnes of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals, representing a 14.3% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.2%, averaging 2.4% per year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 364 thousand tonnes, and the highest was in 2018 at 536 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a 32.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 37.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Portugal were the top two markets for Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals in volume terms. France accounted for 1.3% of total flows, and Portugal for 0.5%.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals totaled $216.3 million US dollars, up 7.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at $202.2 million US dollars, and the maximum in 2018 at $250.3 million US dollars. The most significant decrease was in 2019, with a 19.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 22.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the leading destination for Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals in value terms, making up 1.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals into Sub-Saharan Africa rebounded in 2020. The import volume reached 1,565 thousand tonnes, a substantial 11.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.3%, averaging a 1.4% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 1,406 thousand tonnes, and the largest drop occurred that same year, with an 11.3% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey, Egypt, and France were the primary suppliers of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals to Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 36.9% of imports, Egypt for 11.1%, and France for 5.0%, collectively representing 53.0% of total import volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals into Sub-Saharan Africa showed little change in 2020, standing at $609.6 million US dollars, nearly flat compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 12.9%, with an average annual decrease of 4.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at $607.9 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year, with an 8.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of wheat, meslin flour, and cereals into Sub-Saharan Africa were sourced from a diverse range of markets. Even the top three suppliers—Turkey, Egypt, and France—combined accounted for only 49.2% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020