Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat bran, sharps, and residues in Western Africa experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2023. Early in the period, agricultural initiatives such as Ghana's Planting for Food and Jobs program supported cereal production, influencing the supply of milling by-products. The market volume reached its highest point at 1 944 thousand tons in 2020, a significant increase from 1 760 thousand tons in 2018.

This peak in 2020 was largely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred greater consumer interest in health and nutrition, boosting demand for wheat bran. Simultaneously, pandemic-related labor shortages and supply chain disruptions affected production and distribution networks. In subsequent years, ongoing global supply chain constraints and inflationary pressures on commodity prices contributed to a contraction, with the market declining to 1 880 thousand tons in 2021 and 1 784 thousand tons in 2022.

By 2023, the market volume fell further to 1 550 thousand tons, marking a continued downward trend. While global patterns indicated rising demand for sustainable and clean-label wheat bran products, the regional market faced persistent logistical and economic challenges throughout the post-pandemic period.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Western 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

In 2019, Western Africa produced 1 805 K t of wheat bran, sharps and residues, marking the lowest output during the period. Production then rose to 2 018 K t in 2020, representing an 11.8% increase from the previous year. Over the full 2017-2020 timeframe, production grew by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Western Africa's production of wheat bran, sharps and residues rebounded in value terms. In 2019, output was valued at 226.7 M $ US, the lowest point in the period. By 2020, this figure had climbed to 294.5 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 29.9% year-over-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The sharpest drop was recorded in 2019, when value fell by 4.9%.

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

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Wheat bran, sharps and residues exports from Western Africa grew for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 133.0 K t, after a significant 49.6% decline. They then recovered to 164.0 K t in 2020, showing a modest 7.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 37.9%, averaging an annual decline of 14.7%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 14.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Africa's exports of wheat bran, sharps and residues in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Morocco accounted for 26.1% of these exports, Portugal for 15.6%, and the United States for 4.4%. Together, these three countries represented 46.1% of total export flows, indicating a relatively fragmented market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of wheat bran, sharps and residues from Western Africa in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at 17 282 K $ US, following a sharp 52.0% decline. By 2020, exports had risen to 23 939 K $ US, up 24.8% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 33.5%, with an average annual decline of 12.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Portugal, and Norway were consistently the top destinations for Western Africa's exports of wheat bran, sharps and residues in value terms. Morocco held a 35.1% share, Portugal 13.9%, and Norway 5.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 54.8% of total export value, highlighting their dominant role in the market.

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

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

Imports wheat bran, sharps and residues to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of wheat bran, sharps and residues into Western Africa showed volatility during the observed period. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point, then surged to 90.3 K t in 2020, marking a 98.9% increase from 2019. Over this timeframe, imports varied by 2.4 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 21.2% drop.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 reveal that imports in kind of wheat bran, sharps and residues to Western Africa were not heavily concentrated among a few suppliers. Argentina contributed 5.7% of imports, Russia 4.6%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3.5%. Together, these three countries made up only 13.8% of total import flows, indicating a highly diversified sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of wheat bran, sharps and residues into Western Africa in value terms displayed an unstable trend. In 2017, imports bottomed out, then peaked at 15 760 K $ US in 2020, representing a 111.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period, imports varied by 2.3 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2017. The most significant decline was in 2019, with a 32.0% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, Argentina, Russia, and Portugal were key suppliers of wheat bran, sharps and residues to Western Africa in value terms. Argentina accounted for 7.3% of imports, Russia for 6.5%, and Portugal for 4.8%. However, their combined share reached only 18.6% of total import value, with the remaining 81.4% spread across numerous other trading partners, underscoring the market's diversity.

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

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