Africa: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Africa

The African maize market fell modestly to $X in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a pronounced decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Production in Africa

In value terms, maize production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Nigeria (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Guinea (X tons), with a combined 77% share of total production. Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +29.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of maize (green) in Africa shrank modestly to X tons per ha, approximately equating 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 1.8%. Over the period under review, the maize yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of maize (green) were harvested in Africa; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in Africa

After five years of growth, shipments abroad of maize (green) decreased by -1.6% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, maize exports shrank modestly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 125%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Ethiopia (X tons), distantly followed by Morocco (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Kenya (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) represented the main exporters of maize (green), together committing 90% of total exports. Algeria (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +67.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ethiopia ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Africa, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kenya ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ethiopia totaled +84.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kenya (+11.5% per year) and Morocco (-1.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 57% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ethiopia ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ethiopia (+10.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports in Africa

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of maize (green) decreased by -6.5% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 107% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 225%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Somalia prevails in imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 79% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Djibouti (X tons), generating a 4.6% share of total imports. Botswana (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to maize imports into Somalia stood at -6.4%. At the same time, Mozambique (+60.8%), Nigeria (+52.2%), Djibouti (+49.2%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+31.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +60.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Botswana (-3.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Djibouti (+4.5 p.p.), Botswana (+3.9 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+2.5 p.p.), Mozambique (+2.4 p.p.) and Nigeria (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Somalia (-12.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Somalia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize (green) in Africa, comprising 92% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Djibouti ($X), with a 2.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 0.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Somalia stood at -7.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Djibouti (+50.2% per year) and Botswana (-0.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 4.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 57% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Somalia ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :