SADC: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in SADC

The SADC maize market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Maize Production in SADC

In value terms, maize production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of maize production was South Africa (X tons), accounting for 87% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Tanzania (X tons), eightfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in South Africa totaled +1.8%.

In 2022, the average maize yield in SADC declined to X tons per ha, almost unchanged from 2021. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 1.7%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year. 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 (green) production in SADC fell to X ha, stabilizing at the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 6% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of maize (green) decreased by -6% to X tons, falling for the fifth year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize exports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% 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 -30.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 33%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 86% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), constituting a 4.7% share of total exports. Mozambique (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -4.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+10.9%) and Namibia (+8.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +10.9% from 2012-2022. Zambia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Mozambique (-18.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mozambique and Democratic Republic of the Congo increased by +3.9 and +3.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in SADC, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with a 9.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 6.6% share.

In South Africa, maize exports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mozambique (-17.2% per year) and Zambia (-4.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+8.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Maize Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of maize (green) were imported in SADC; reducing by -31% compared with the year before. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 49% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports reduced notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Botswana (X tons), distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Namibia (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Lesotho (X tons) represented the largest importers of maize (green), together constituting 90% of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +60.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Botswana ($X) and Mozambique ($X), together comprising 66% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +32.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform