Wheat and meslin market in Niger

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wheat and meslin in Niger expanded from 4 851 t in 2018 to 6 457 t in 2023, driven primarily by a sustained increase in domestic production. This growth was initiated by the launch of the Grande Irrigation Program (PGI) in 2018, a state-led initiative aiming to reduce cereal imports by 50% by 2027 through investments in water control and the modernization of irrigated perimeters, which directly enhanced agricultural output.

A further boost came in 2020 with the liberalization of the fertilizer sector, which triggered a sharp rise in fertilizer imports and improved input availability for farmers, contributing to the significant production jump observed that year. While production experienced a minor dip in 2021, the overall upward trend continued, supported by ongoing irrigation investments and improvements in storage capacity that stabilized market supply.

Government measures to manage cereal stocks and intervene in markets helped maintain consistent domestic availability. The policy focus on food sovereignty, exemplified by the continued development of irrigation infrastructure, provided a stable foundation for production growth throughout the period.

Production wheat and meslin in Niger

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

Niger's wheat and meslin production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5 520 tonnes, which represents a 12.2% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production actually decreased by 8.1%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 807 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 19.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Niger

Market research findings show that Niger did not export any wheat and meslin between 2017 and 2020.

Imports wheat and meslin to Niger

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 2 tonnes, before rebounding to 22 tonnes in 2020—a dramatic increase of 1 145.7% compared to the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, import volumes varied by a factor of 4 193. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 99.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant source for Niger's wheat and meslin imports in volume terms, accounting for 77.9% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among various other markets.

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

The market displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. Import values bottomed out in 2019 at 0.3 thousand US dollars, then surged to 17 thousand US dollars in 2020—an increase of 5 611.1% over the previous year. Between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2019, values fluctuated by a factor of 7 917. The most significant drop was recorded in 2018, with a decline of 99.0%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France continued to be the primary source for Niger's wheat and meslin imports in value terms, holding a 77.4% share of total imports. The remainder was spread across multiple other destinations.

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

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