Benelux: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Benelux

In 2022, the Benelux maize market increased by 6.4% to $X, rising for the sixth year in a row after three years of decline. The total consumption indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +68.5% against 2016 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Maize Production in Benelux

In value terms, maize production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Belgium (X tons) remains the largest maize producing country in Benelux, comprising approx. 72% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Belgium exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the Netherlands (X tons), threefold.

In Belgium, maize production declined by an average annual rate of -4.7% over the period from 2012-2022.

In 2022, the average maize yield in Benelux contracted to X tons per ha, dropping by -7% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, the yield recorded a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the maize yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The maize harvested area totaled X ha in 2022, increasing by 4.5% on the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production attained the maximum at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports in Benelux

In 2022, shipments abroad of maize decreased by -23.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 48%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 40%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands represented the major exporter of maize in Benelux, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 74% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), creating a 24% share of total exports. Luxembourg (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from the Netherlands decreased at an average annual rate of -1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Luxembourg (+16.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Luxembourg emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Benelux, with a CAGR of +16.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Belgium (-14.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (+32 p.p.) and Luxembourg (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Belgium saw its share reduced by -33.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Benelux, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

In the Netherlands, maize exports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (-13.2% per year) and Luxembourg (+6.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Benelux stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -11.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 52%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Maize Imports

Imports in Benelux

In 2022, purchases abroad of maize decreased by -3.8% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 15%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +80.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) represented the major importer of maize, creating 75% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), achieving a 25% share of total imports.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the maize imports, with a CAGR of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Belgium (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. The Netherlands (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Belgium saw its share reduced by -1.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize in Benelux, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 26% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands amounted to +3.2%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 34%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+1.0%).

Source: IndexBox Platform