MERCOSUR: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the MERCOSUR maize market, when its value decreased by -12.6% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Maize Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, maize production shrank slightly to $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 2013 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Brazil (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons), with a combined 95% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Argentina (with a CAGR of +10.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average maize yield expanded remarkably to X tons per ha in 2022, picking up by 6.7% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 19%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the 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 MERCOSUR; which is down by -2.1% on the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 15%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas shipments of maize were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 72%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) dominates exports structure, together creating 94% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Paraguay (X tons), generating a 5.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Paraguay ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 100% of total exports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +8.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 23% against the previous year. In general, 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 31%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Maize Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas purchases of maize decreased by -0.7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 +28.7% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, maize imports declined slightly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% 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 +68.6% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Colombia was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 36% of total imports. Peru (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Chile (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 62% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +14.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize importing markets in MERCOSUR were Colombia ($X), Chile ($X) and Peru ($X), with a combined 72% share of total imports. Brazil and Venezuela lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +14.3%, 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 MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 8.7% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Chile ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) and Peru ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform