Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Zambia expanded significantly over the 2018–2023 period. Overall volume rose from 132.0 thousand tons in 2018 to 206.5 thousand tons in 2023, an increase of more than 50%. This growth was not linear, however, as the market experienced a slight contraction in 2019 before a major surge the following year.

The most pronounced shift occurred in 2020, when market size jumped by 41% to 179.8 thousand tons. After reaching 195.2 thousand tons in 2021, volume dipped modestly in 2022 before climbing again to set a new high of 206.5 thousand tons in 2023. Domestic production followed a nearly identical trajectory, driving nearly all of the market's movement given minimal trade flows.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Zambia

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

Zambia's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 179.6 K t, marking a significant 40.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 123.8 K t, which represented the largest decline of 35.6% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Zambia's production value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 87.2 M $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 62.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 48.8 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 54.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 49-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Zambia's export volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals reached 357 t, representing a steep rise of 242.9% year-over-year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 48 t, which also marked the largest decline of 97.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals were primarily shipped to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 97.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports reached their maximum in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, showing a 68-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Zambia exported 174 K $ US of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, which is a 294.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 K $ US, with the largest decline of 98.5% occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which represented 93.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with an 80-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals amounted to 637 t, representing a steep increase of 509.9% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 104 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 8 314 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 98.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in kind was dominated by a single market: South Africa, with a share of 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. A 75-fold variation was observed between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019. In 2020, Zambia imported 321 K $ US of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, showing an increase of 562.2% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 48 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 3 628 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 98.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, imports in value terms of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Zambia were highly concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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