Canada is positioning itself to expand its footprint in Africa’s fast-growing wheat import market, as rising population, urbanisation and income growth drive long-term demand across the continent.
A senior official at Cereals Canada, which represents major grain industry players, said the country sees significant untapped potential in Africa’s wheat sector.
“We do see Africa as an opportunity. It’s one we’re already participating in, but I think there’s more to do,” said Leif Carlson, vice president of markets and trade at Cereals Canada.
He noted that Africa’s demographic trends are a key driver of demand, with the continent’s population projected by the United Nations to reach nearly 2.5 billion by 2050, up from about 1.5 billion today.
Africa is already the world’s second-largest wheat-importing region after Asia, reflecting its growing reliance on external suppliers to meet domestic consumption needs.
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According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Africa imported an average of 52.8 million tonnes of wheat annually between the 2021/2022 and 2023/2024 marketing seasons, underscoring the scale of its structural demand.
Cereals Canada said the country currently supplies around 11 percent of Africa’s imported wheat, with total Canadian wheat exports to the continent reaching about 5 million tonnes in 2025.
Algeria remains Canada’s largest African market, accounting for roughly half of shipments, followed by Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana and Mozambique.
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Industry officials say there is still considerable room for growth, particularly in East, West and Southern Africa, where consumption is rising alongside rapid urban expansion.
Canada has identified Kenya, Cameroon and Mozambique as priority growth markets. Kenya alone imports more than 2 million tonnes of wheat annually, making it East Africa’s largest buyer. Cameroon imports over 1 million tonnes, while Mozambique purchases more than 700,000 tonnes each year.
The push comes amid intensifying competition for African grain markets, with major global exporters vying for influence in a region increasingly dependent on imports to meet food demand.
Russia has emerged as a dominant supplier in several African countries in recent years and is seeking to further strengthen its position. Russian officials recently discussed plans with Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, to establish a regional grain trading and storage hub in Egyptian ports, aimed at consolidating supply chains across North Africa.
Ukraine is also expanding its presence, opening its first agricultural hub in Ghana in April as part of efforts to facilitate exports and broaden access to West African markets.
Other major exporters, including France, the United States and Australia, continue to compete for market share, particularly as African demand is projected to grow steadily over the coming decades.
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Analysts say Africa’s wheat market is becoming a strategic battleground for global agricultural exporters, with trade relationships increasingly shaped by geopolitical considerations as well as price and supply reliability.
With demand expected to rise significantly in line with population growth, competition among exporters is likely to intensify further, making Africa one of the most important long-term growth markets for global wheat trade.
