Maize meal grows, wheat imports increase

Maize meal saw a large growth in 2012, one of the largest growths in the product's history. Final product pricing is always subject to influence from external factors, such as petrol and labour costs, which was the case in 2011 when the pricing for wheat flour increased.

Production for wheat suffered due to weather conditions, resulting in more imports into the country, the overall consequence was an increase in pricing. The year 2012 saw pricing stabilise for both maize meal and wheat flour. With the increase in wages, prices are expected to make some shifts in the coming years.

Both markets saw stability in their regional splits, with the majority of distribution going to the larger, more populated provinces. Limpopo and Mpumalanga have a large share of distribution within the maize meal market.

Maize meal regional distribution

Image courtesy of adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Wheat flour regional distribution

Maize meal is defined as ground product made from the seeds of corn/maize plants and wheat flour is that ground from the seeds of wheat.

BMi Research specialises in consumer and industrial research in various sectors, including the retail market. For more information, go to www.bmi.co.za.