Eastern Europe: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European maize market shrank to $X in 2022, falling by -4.6% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% 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 +35.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, maize production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period 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 2013 when the production volume increased by 39%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Ukraine (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of maize production, accounting for 42% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Russia (X tons), twofold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Ukraine stood at +5.6%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Russia (+5.9% per year) and Romania (+7.7% per year).

The average maize yield fell to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by -8.3% against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the maize yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of maize production in Eastern Europe contracted slightly to X ha, with a decrease of -1.8% on the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production attained the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of maize was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Total exports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -14.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 36%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +114.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Ukraine (X tons) was the largest exporter of maize, mixing up 58% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Romania (X tons), Poland (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Russia (X tons), together generating a 34% share of total exports. Moldova (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Ukraine increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Moldova (+39.8%), Poland (+13.1%), Romania (+9.7%), Russia (+1.8%) and Bulgaria (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Moldova emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +39.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Hungary (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Romania (+4.7 p.p.), Poland (+4.5 p.p.) and Moldova (+2.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Russia and Hungary saw its share reduced by -2.1% and -9.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ukraine ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Poland, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ukraine amounted to +4.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Romania (+9.9% per year) and Poland (+16.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 8% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 34%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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 Romania ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, imports of maize in Eastern Europe skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 141% compared with the year before. Overall, imports saw a strong expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, maize imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate buoyant growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Poland (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) represented roughly 62% of total imports in 2022. Romania (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Slovakia (9.7%). Lithuania (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Latvia (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +27.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Hungary ($X) and Romania ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 68% share of total imports. Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Latvia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

Latvia, with a CAGR of +22.1%, 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 leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -18.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 40%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+7.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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