Sub-Saharan Africa sets new wheat import record amid shifting global trade
The rise in wheat imports is attributed to rapid population growth, increased urbanization, and evolving dietary preferences across the region
AFRICA – Sub-Saharan Africa has reached an unprecedented milestone in wheat imports, surpassing 30 million tons in the 2024/2025 season, a 7% increase from the previous year, according to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This surge comes as global wheat trade contracts by 10%, highlighting the region’s growing appetite for wheat even as other major importers scale back.
The rise in wheat imports is attributed to rapid population growth, increased urbanization, and evolving dietary preferences across the region. Over the past two decades, wheat has solidified its role as a staple food, now ranking as Sub-Saharan Africa’s most imported cereal and the third-most consumed after maize and rice.
This transformation positions the region alongside North Africa and Southeast Asia as a key player in the global wheat market.
According to the USDA, Nigeria, Kenya, and Sudan are at the forefront of this trend, collectively accounting for over 11 million tons, about 37% of the region’s total wheat imports1.
Nigeria leads with 6.25 million tons in 2024/2025, making it the world’s seventh-largest wheat importer. The country’s robust milling industry blends affordable wheat from the EU and Black Sea with premium North American varieties to produce flour for its growing urban population.
Kenya follows with 2.6 million tons, maintaining its spot as the region’s second-largest importer, while Sudan imported 2.5 million tons during the same period.
Other significant importers include South Africa, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, though their combined intake remains below 5 million tons. South Africa, for instance, is forecast to import 2 million tons, while Ethiopia and Tanzania plan to purchase 1.4 million and 1.3 million tons, respectively.
Roughly 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s wheat comes from the European Union and Russia, but competition is intensifying as Canada expands its presence, particularly in Nigeria, where it supplies an average of 800,000 tons annually.
Canadian exporters are also forging new partnerships with Ghana and other African nations, targeting the region’s growing demand for high-quality wheat.
The USDA projects that wheat imports will remain robust, with volumes expected to reach 30.1 million tons in the 2025/2026 season, yet another record for the region.
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