The Australian agro-industrial complex, planning its further development, is largely focused on grain exports to Africa.
The African continent is becoming an important buyer of such products on a global scale.
This is facilitated by several factors, including the growth of Africa’s population, urbanization and industrial development. All this together leads to an increase in the standard of living and income of the population, which, in turn, changes the nutritional structure of Africans.
As a result, grain products, including wheat, are beginning to occupy increasingly important positions.
Taking this into account, Africa is now becoming a reliable source of demand for grain; there is every reason to believe that such demand will not only remain at a high level, but will also be maintained for a long time.
It is therefore not surprising that major grain producers such as Australia are already turning their attention to Africa.
“By 2035, Africa’s population is projected to increase by almost 400 million people, accounting for about half of world population growth.
These developments position Africa as a reliable source of new grain demand, which will require increased local crop production, expanded grain supply chains and reliable new sources of grain imports.
However, the Australian grains industry’s focus must remain on driving consumption growth in North and South-East Asia, which are existing high-value markets.
However, the Australian grains sector should look to Africa as a flexible market and maintain links through developing relationships and providing expertise and technology.
The industry must monitor African markets and strive to better understand changes in consumption towards more convenient and affordable food products,” notes acting. O. manager of the Australian Center for Grain Export Innovation, Chris Carter.
At the same time, analysts believe that for Australia as an exporter, a buyer in the form of Africa is especially profitable, because many countries are located at a short distance. For example, these are Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
However, competition with other exporters is inevitable in the African market.
For example, Russia supplied about 9 million tons of grain to Africa in the first half of 2023, which is a triple increase compared to the same period of the previous year, and the supply potential is far from being exhausted, and further growth in volumes is possible, experts note.
