Latin America and the Caribbean: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American maize market declined to $X in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, maize production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 78%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Mexico (X tons) remains the largest maize producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising approx. 57% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Peru (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Chile (X tons), with an 8.3% share.

In Mexico, maize production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Peru (+1.7% per year) and Chile (-1.8% per year).

In 2022, the average maize yield in Latin America and the Caribbean reduced slightly to X tons per ha, approximately equating the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the maize 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, approx. X ha of maize (green) were harvested in Latin America and the Caribbean; remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 7.3% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of maize (green) increased by 4% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after three years of decline. In general, exports showed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 93% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, maize exports amounted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mexico prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 77% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Honduras (X tons) and Costa Rica (X tons), together generating a 15% share of total exports. Guatemala (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to maize exports from Mexico stood at +14.3%. At the same time, Honduras (+20.5%), the Dominican Republic (+3.8%) and Costa Rica (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Honduras emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +20.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Guatemala (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mexico (+19 p.p.) and Honduras (+4.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Costa Rica saw its share reduced by -2.2%, -9% and -9.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Honduras ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Costa Rica, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Mexico amounted to +17.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Honduras (+29.8% per year) and Costa Rica (+5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a temperate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 90% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Honduras (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas purchases of maize (green) decreased by -1.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -8.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 69% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

El Salvador was the main importer of maize (green) in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 35% of total imports in 2022. Mexico (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by Paraguay (8.5%), Jamaica (7.3%), Cayman Islands (5.5%) and Uruguay (5.4%). The following importers - Ecuador (X tons), Aruba (X tons), Curacao (X tons), Haiti (X tons), Saint Maarten (Dutch part) (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Bahamas (X tons) - together made up 18% of total imports.

Imports into El Salvador increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Paraguay (+56.7%), Jamaica (+52.5%), Bahamas (+35.5%), Ecuador (+32.1%), Colombia (+32.0%), Aruba (+16.4%), Cayman Islands (+15.2%), Saint Maarten (Dutch part) (+14.4%), Curacao (+13.9%), Uruguay (+7.7%) and Mexico (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +56.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Haiti (-21.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of El Salvador, Paraguay, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Ecuador, Aruba, Colombia and Bahamas increased by +35, +8.3, +7.1, +3.2, +2.9, +1.8, +1.7 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Cayman Islands ($X) and El Salvador ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 48% share of total imports. Saint Maarten (Dutch part), Curacao, Aruba, Colombia, Uruguay, Bahamas, Jamaica, Ecuador, Haiti and Paraguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Paraguay, with a CAGR of +49.1%, 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 Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -8.3% against the previous year. Import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, maize import price increased by +65.9% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

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 Saint Maarten (Dutch part) ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+9.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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