Central Asia: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Central Asia

In 2022, the Central Asian maize market decreased by -3.3% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Maize Production in Central Asia

In value terms, maize production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 28%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Kazakhstan (X tons), Kyrgyzstan (X tons) and Uzbekistan (X tons), with a combined 91% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Kazakhstan (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of maize in Central Asia stood at X tons per ha, remaining constant against 2021. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the maize yield remained at a lower figure. 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 were harvested in Central Asia; which is down by -6% on the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha, and then declined in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in Central Asia

In 2022, maize exports in Central Asia soared to X tons, rising by 40% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 311%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, maize exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 352% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Kazakhstan was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Kyrgyzstan (X tons), generating a 39% 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 Kyrgyzstan (with a CAGR of +66.8%).

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Central Asia, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kyrgyzstan ($X), with a 21% share of total exports.

In Kazakhstan, maize exports expanded at an average annual rate of +25.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -8.7% against the previous year. Export price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, maize export price increased by +55.4% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kazakhstan ($X per ton), while Kyrgyzstan amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kazakhstan (+4.1%).

Maize Imports

Imports in Central Asia

In 2022, approx. X tons of maize were imported in Central Asia; declining by -7.6% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 248% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 129% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Uzbekistan (X tons) was the major importer of maize, creating 53% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Tajikistan (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons) and Mongolia (X tons), together mixing up a 43% share of total imports. The following importers - Turkmenistan (X tons) and Kyrgyzstan (X tons) - each recorded a 3.9% share of total imports.

Imports into Uzbekistan increased at an average annual rate of +8.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mongolia (+47.3%), Kazakhstan (+23.9%), Turkmenistan (+14.1%), Tajikistan (+7.6%) and Kyrgyzstan (+7.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mongolia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +47.3% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Kazakhstan increased by +53, +7.4 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the largest maize importing markets in Central Asia were Uzbekistan ($X), Kazakhstan ($X) and Tajikistan ($X), with a combined 87% share of total imports. Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Turkmenistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Among the main importing countries, Mongolia, with a CAGR of +43.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 39% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton), while Mongolia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+22.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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