Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of wheat bran and residues increased from 10 095 thousand tonnes to 10 688 thousand tonnes, while market volume grew from 9 771 thousand tonnes to 10 125 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by the deregulation of maize and wheat boards, which encouraged the entry of new small and medium-scale millers aiming to establish their operations and client bases. Concurrently, the area planted with wheat, barley, and canola expanded due to favorable commodity prices and climatic conditions, boosting raw material availability for milling.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume stabilized around 10 000 thousand tonnes with minor fluctuations, as production reached 11 017 thousand tonnes in 2021 before moderating. During this period, wheat bran and sharps found growing application in farm feeds and pet foods, supporting consumption. However, transport costs remained a significant factor affecting profitability, with industry calls to increase milling capacity in the Western Cape to reduce logistics expenses. The market also saw major players like Tiger Brands facing profitability pressures, while artisanal manufacturers gained traction by catering to consumer preferences for healthier and specialty products.

In 2024, major companies like Tiger Brands announced the sale of a maize mill due to profitability pressures, while smaller millers gained market share. The wheat tariff was maintained to stabilize local consumption, and transport costs continued to be a key issue, with calls to expand milling capacity in the Western Cape. Consumer preferences shifted towards artisanal and specialty wheat products.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Africa's production of wheat bran, sharps, and residues has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 10 688 thousand tons, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 1.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 986.8 thousand tons, up 2.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 34.3%, averaging 10.3% per year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 670.2 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 8.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 43.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's exports in kind were spread across numerous partner countries. Vietnam accounted for 10.4% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 9.9%, and Qatar for 7.1%. Together, these three countries made up just 27.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa's wheat bran, sharps, and residues exports reached 157.7 million US dollars, a 10.7% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 37.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 11.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 157.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 37.5%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 9.8%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Vietnam contributed 23.3% of export value, the United Arab Emirates 8.5%, and Qatar 7.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 39.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports wheat bran, sharps and residues to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Africa's imports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 423.5 thousand tons, a significant 43.2% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 33.5%, averaging a 12.7% annual decrease. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 295.7 thousand tons, while the largest decline of 45.6% occurred in 2018.

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

Analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Yemen accounted for 9.4% of imports, Italy for 8.0%, and Argentina for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 22.9% of total import flows, with the remaining 77.1% coming from other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Africa's imports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 142.5 million US dollars, a sharp rise of 36.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 27.5%, with an annualized rate of 8.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 104.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen, Italy, and Argentina were the largest suppliers of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to Africa in value terms, contributing 9.9%, 9.1%, and 6.4% respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 25.3% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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