Wheat and meslin market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the wheat and meslin market volume in the Democratic Republic of the Congo initially expanded from 302 thousand tons to 430.2 thousand tons in 2019, before easing slightly to 410.9 thousand tons in 2020. Domestic production declined from 11.5 thousand tons to a stable 9 thousand tons during this period.

Market volume surged to 579.9 thousand tons in 2021, a growth supported by the launch of the new Zando central market in Kinshasa, a project designed to modernize commercial infrastructure and improve the logistics for distributing grain products, including wheat. This trend reversed in 2022 as the market contracted to 461.7 thousand tons. The downturn was primarily caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which severely disrupted wheat imports—a critical issue since approximately 70% of the country's wheat originated from these two countries—and prompted government efforts to promote cassava as a substitute to reduce import costs.

The market decline continued into 2023, falling further to 387.2 thousand tons. This was influenced by logistical hurdles, including poor rural road conditions and transportation issues with the state railway company SNCC, which increased costs and hindered distribution. Concurrently, ongoing sanitation and redevelopment works at the Zando market temporarily affected trader access. In 2024, wheat imports alone rebounded sharply to 544.7 thousand tons, indicating a potential market recovery.

Production wheat and meslin in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Wheat and meslin production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 000 tonnes, which represents a significant 10.4% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10%, averaging an annual decline of 3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11 500 tonnes. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019 with a 12.7% decrease, while the biggest increase was seen in 2018 with a 15.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wheat and meslin from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo exported virtually no wheat and meslin, with exports remaining at zero tonnes, unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 99.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 89.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Congo was essentially the sole buyer of wheat and meslin from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 99.9% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's wheat and meslin exports in value terms remained nearly flat at zero million US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -89.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Congo dominated the export market in value terms for wheat and meslin from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, capturing 99.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, wheat and meslin imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 401.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.7%, with an average annual increase of 2.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 290.5 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 420.1 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 21.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 44.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, the United States, and France were the leading sources of wheat and meslin imports by volume for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Russia accounted for 59.9% of imports, the United States for 8.4%, and France for 6.9%, together making up 75.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo stood at 108.1 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 18.3% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 87.5 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 132.2 million US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 51.1% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, the United States, and France were the primary suppliers of wheat and meslin to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms. Russia contributed 61.2% of import value, the United States 8.2%, and France 7.6%, collectively accounting for 77.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020