Wheat gluten market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, wheat gluten production in Zimbabwe rose from 40 t to 75 t, while market volume contracted sharply from 648 t to 277 t due to a steep drop in imports. The initial production increase was partly supported by a recovery in the stockfeeds industry, where subsidised maize prices from the Grain Marketing Board boosted demand for wheat bran, indirectly raising wheat processing activity.

From 2021 onward, the government's focused efforts to expand wheat production, guided by the Agricultural Marketing Authority's regulations on contract farming and quality standards, provided a foundation for domestic wheat supply. Although gluten production fluctuated, reaching 70 t in 2021 and dipping to 51 t in 2022, the market volume recovered to 443 t in 2021 and 508 t in 2022 as imports rebounded. A major shift occurred in 2023 when the liberalisation of wheat trading under Statutory Instrument 130 of 2023 allowed self-financed farmers to sell through certified warehouses and attracted private players, enhancing competition and contributing to a rebound in gluten output to 68 t alongside a market volume of 569 t.

In 2024, policy measures continued to aim at boosting wheat processing, exemplified by the commissioning of the country's first large-scale pasta plant, which signalled an expansion in value-added wheat product manufacturing. Despite a drought-induced state of disaster, the government maintained producer prices and the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange introduced a warehouse receipt system for wheat, improving market access and price discovery for grains.

Production wheat gluten in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's wheat gluten production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 74 860 kg of wheat gluten, marking a 51.4% gain compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 77.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 21.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 40 120 kg, and that year also saw the largest decline of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports wheat gluten from Zimbabwe

Market analysis indicates that Zimbabwe did not export any wheat gluten between 2017 and 2020.

Imports wheat gluten to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Wheat gluten imports into Zimbabwe have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 202.5 tonnes of wheat gluten, representing a 51.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 61.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -27.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 608.0 tonnes, and that year also experienced the largest increase of 16.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and China were the main suppliers of wheat gluten to Zimbabwe, together accounting for 82.1% of total imports by volume. Other trading partners played a smaller role during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of wheat gluten imports into Zimbabwe has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 313 thousand US dollars, which is 59.6% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 69%, corresponding to an annualized rate of -32.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 511 thousand US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase of 49.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and China dominated the value of wheat gluten imports into Zimbabwe, while other markets contributed less significantly on an individual basis.

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

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