Kenya: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan maize market totaled $X in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Maize consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Maize Production in Kenya

In value terms, maize production rose slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production enjoyed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 143% against the previous year. Maize production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of maize in Kenya rose sharply to X tons per ha, picking up by 8.2% against the previous year. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, the average maize yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the maize harvested area in Kenya contracted to X ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the maize harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, the amount of maize exported from Kenya skyrocketed to X tons, with an increase of 173% compared with 2021. In general, exports posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 564% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 208%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tanzania (X tons), Rwanda (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) were the main destinations of maize exports from Kenya, together comprising 93% of total exports. Ethiopia, South Sudan and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.3%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +663.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for maize exported from Kenya were Rwanda ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Uganda ($X), together comprising 92% of total exports. Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and South Sudan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7.6%.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +641.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 263%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Sudan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports into Kenya

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of maize decreased by -25.2% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 507%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize imports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate measured growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 986%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Tanzania (X tons) was the main supplier of maize to Kenya, accounting for a 93% share of total imports. It was followed by Zambia (X tons), with a 3% share of total imports. Mexico (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Tanzania amounted to +26.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (+10.6% per year) and Mexico (+208.5% per year).

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) constituted the largest supplier of maize to Kenya, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 7.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Tanzania stood at +31.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (+2.1% per year) and Mexico (+178.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average maize import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 79%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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