Wheat starch market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat starch market in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 34 587 t in 2018 to 52 455 t in 2023, with consumption peaking at 51 078 t in 2020. This expansion occurred despite a consistent decline in domestic production, which fell from 39 307 t to 30 470 t over the period. The market's growth was instead driven by a substantial rise in imports, which increased more than thirteenfold, reaching 26 665 t in 2023 and offsetting the drop in local output.

In 2023, the market volume rose to 52 455 t, fueled by a record import volume of 26 665 t. This surge in imports took place within a global context marked by volatile wheat prices, influenced by geopolitical tensions including the war in Ukraine, and increasing competition from alternative starches such as tapioca from producers in Thailand and Indonesia. These factors affected international trade flows and supply conditions for wheat starch in the region.

Production wheat starch in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, wheat starch production in Sub-Saharan Africa rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 44 376 tonnes of wheat starch, representing a significant increase of 13.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 39 054 tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018 when production fell by 9.5%.

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

Exports wheat starch from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Wheat starch exports from Sub-Saharan Africa experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, followed by a peak in 2018, creating a dramatic 247-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports totaled 126 tonnes, marking a substantial decrease of 62.8% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was achieved in 2018 at 6 632 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 94.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with an extraordinary growth of 24 587.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco and Spain emerged as the primary markets for wheat starch exports from Sub-Saharan Africa, together accounting for 78.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values demonstrated considerable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, followed by the highest in 2018, resulting in a 5.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wheat starch exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 461 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial year-over-year increase of 137.2%. The minimum export value was 194 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum reached 1 131 thousand US dollars in 2018. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 82.8% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with growth of 142.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Spain, and Hong Kong formed the core group of markets for wheat starch exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Morocco accounted for 32.9% of export value, Spain for 15.5%, and Hong Kong for 1.1%, with these three markets together representing 49.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest point was recorded in 2018, followed by the highest in 2017, creating a 9.1-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 6 828 tonnes of wheat starch, representing a significant increase of 73.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was 1 911 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 89.0%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 with growth of 106.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, China, and the United Arab Emirates were the main sources of wheat starch imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms. Australia accounted for 66.9% of imports, China for 8.6%, and the United Arab Emirates for 2.8%, with these three countries together representing 78.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values revealed irregular patterns, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, followed by the highest in 2017, resulting in a 7.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wheat starch imports to Sub-Saharan Africa reached 4 991 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic year-over-year increase of 158.2%. The minimum import value was 1 061 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 86.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, China, and the United Arab Emirates formed the primary group of sources for wheat starch imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Australia accounted for 53.4% of import value, China for 12.7%, and the United Arab Emirates for 7.6%, with these three countries together representing 73.7% of total import value.

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

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