Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wheat bran and residues in South Africa fluctuated between 703 and 736 thousand tons from 2018 to 2023. After a decline to 711.5 thousand tons in 2019, the market stabilized around 703 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering to 736 thousand tons in 2021. This recovery was supported by the largest wheat harvest since 2002 in the 2021/22 season, which increased raw material availability for milling and bran production, although high input costs limited more rapid expansion.

Import volumes of bran and residues showed considerable variation, dropping to 114.1 thousand tons in 2019 before rising to a peak of 148.2 thousand tons in 2024. The rand exchange rate remained a key factor, as a weaker rand increased import costs and supported local prices. Tariffs on imported wheat, maintained to protect the domestic industry, influenced market access and the cost structure for millers, affecting the balance between domestic production and imports of bran.

The milling sector underwent structural changes, with increased competition as major players sold assets and smaller millers gained market share. Ongoing support from the Winter Grains Trust for research and funding in the winter grains sector contributed to long-term market development. By 2025, the industry was in a consolidation phase following the volatility of earlier years, with global wheat supply conditions and domestic input costs continuing to shape profitability.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 28th globally in the production volume of wheat bran, sharps, and residues.

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2018-2021

In 2021, South Africa produced 593.6 K t of wheat bran, sharps, and residues, showing no significant change from 2020. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 590.6 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 602.4 K t. The largest decline was in 2020, at 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during this period. Exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from South Africa peaked in 2019 at 4.9 K t and hit their lowest in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports amounted to 2.2 K t, marking a 4.9% year-on-year increase. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 57.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 157.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the export structure in kind was dominated by Lesotho and Eswatini, which together accounted for 82.6% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over these years. Exports in value terms peaked in 2019 at 1 333 K $ US and fell to their lowest in 2018, with a 2.6-fold variation. In 2021, South Africa exported 834 K $ US of wheat bran, sharps, and residues, reflecting a sharp 37.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2020 at 54.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 163.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, the core markets for exports in value terms were Botswana (39.2%), Lesotho (30.1%), and Eswatini (20.5%), together representing 89.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat bran, sharps and residues to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's imports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 144.6 K t, up 26.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 114.1 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for imports in kind were Mozambique (62.9%), Malawi (10.1%), and Botswana (9.7%), jointly accounting for 82.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports in value terms reached their highest point in 2021 and their lowest in 2020, with a 1.8-fold fluctuation. In 2021, South Africa imported wheat bran, sharps, and residues valued at 11 724 K $ US, an 82.4% increase from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018–2021, the leading suppliers of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to South Africa in value terms were Mozambique (64.9%), Botswana (11.2%), and Malawi (6.4%), together making up 82.5% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021