Global Maize Market to Expand at 2.8% CAGR Driven by Rising Demand Worldwide

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Driven by increasing global demand, the maize market is set to experience steady growth in both volume and value over the next seven years. With a projected CAGR of +2.8% for volume and +4.9% for value, the market is expected to reach 1,439M tons and $578.7B respectively by the end of 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for maize worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1,439M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $578.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Maize

In 2023, global consumption of maize reached 1,182M tons, with an increase of 1.7% compared with 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the consumption volume increased by 6.7%. Global consumption peaked at 1,202M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global maize market size dropped slightly to $414.6B in 2023, stabilizing at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $419.7B in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2023 were the United States (321M tons), China (302M tons) and Mexico (44M tons), together comprising 56% of global consumption. Brazil, Argentina, India and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Argentina (with a CAGR of +11.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize markets worldwide were China ($113.6B), the United States ($86.2B) and Mexico ($10.2B), with a combined 51% share of the global market. Brazil, Argentina, India and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.5%.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +10.6%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of maize per capita consumption in 2023 were the United States (952 kg per person), Argentina (776 kg per person) and Mexico (334 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Argentina (with a CAGR of +10.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Maize

Global maize production expanded modestly to 1,184M tons in 2023, increasing by 1.7% on 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 1,204M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a mild increase of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, maize production contracted slightly to $424.9B in 2023 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 25%. Global production peaked at $433.4B in 2022, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2023 were the United States (366M tons), China (275M tons) and Brazil (99M tons), together accounting for 62% of global production. Argentina, Ukraine, India, Mexico and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Argentina (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

In 2023, the global average yield of maize reached 5.8 tons per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 4.9%. The global yield peaked at 5.9 tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, the yield failed to regain momentum.

Harvested Area

In 2023, approx. 205M ha of maize were harvested worldwide; flattening at the year before. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 3.7% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of 206M ha. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global maize harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Imports

World Imports of Maize

In 2023, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of maize, when their volume decreased by -5.1% to 197M tons. In general, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by +51.4% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 12%. Global imports peaked at 207M tons in 2022, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, maize imports contracted to $62.1B in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a measured expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 41%. Global imports peaked at $67.8B in 2022, and then declined in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2023, China (27M tons), followed by Mexico (18M tons), Japan (15M tons), South Korea (11M tons), Vietnam (9.9M tons) and Spain (9.1M tons) were the major importers of maize, together generating 45% of total imports. Egypt (7.2M tons), Iran (6.9M tons), Italy (6.5M tons) and Colombia (5.5M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +23.0%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize importing markets worldwide were China ($9B), Mexico ($5.6B) and Japan ($4.9B), with a combined 31% share of global imports.

China, with a CAGR of +25.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average maize import price stood at $316 per ton in 2023, falling by -3.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 28% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $327 per ton in 2022, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Egypt ($342 per ton) and Colombia ($341 per ton), while Vietnam ($251 per ton) and Iran ($276 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+10.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Maize

After ten years of growth, overseas shipments of maize decreased by -5.5% to 198M tons in 2023. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +58.3% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 209M tons in 2022, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, maize exports declined to $54.2B in 2023. Overall, exports, however, showed a tangible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at $63.7B in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports By Country

Brazil (56M tons) and the United States (46M tons) represented roughly 51% of total exports in 2023. It was distantly followed by Ukraine (26M tons) and Argentina (24M tons), together achieving a 25% share of total exports. Romania (5.4M tons), Poland (4.5M tons), South Africa (4M tons), Paraguay (3.8M tons), France (3.8M tons) and Russia (3.2M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +17.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize supplying countries worldwide were the United States ($13.6B), Brazil ($13.6B) and Argentina ($6.2B), together accounting for 62% of global exports. Ukraine, France, Romania, Poland, South Africa, Russia and Paraguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +17.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average maize export price stood at $274 per ton in 2023, declining by -10.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 37% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $304 per ton in 2022, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($546 per ton), while Ukraine ($188 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+2.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform