Tanzania: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Tanzania

The Tanzanian maize market dropped to $X in 2022, declining by -5.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Maize Production in Tanzania

In value terms, maize production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 28%. Maize production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average maize yield in Tanzania declined modestly to X tons per ha, almost unchanged from the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the average maize yield attained 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, approx. X ha of maize were harvested in Tanzania; falling by -2.3% on the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports from Tanzania

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of maize increased by 467% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted significant growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, maize exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 492% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Kenya (X tons) was the main destination for maize exports from Tanzania, accounting for a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, maize exports to Kenya exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Uganda (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Kenya amounted to +39.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uganda (+4.7% per year) and Rwanda (+85.1% per year).

In value terms, Kenya ($X) remains the key foreign market for maize exports from Tanzania, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Rwanda ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Kenya stood at +33.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Rwanda (+68.7% per year) and Uganda (+19.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -32.2% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 129% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Rwanda ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kenya ($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 Uganda (+14.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Maize Imports

Imports into Tanzania

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of maize, when their volume increased by 100% to X tons. In general, imports, however, saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 478%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 245%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Zambia (X tons) constituted the largest maize supplier to Tanzania, accounting for a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, maize imports from Zambia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Malawi (X tons), fourfold. Uganda (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Zambia stood at -5.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malawi (+138.1% per year) and Uganda (-23.3% per year).

In value terms, Zambia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of maize to Tanzania, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malawi ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Zambia totaled -4.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malawi (+128.6% per year) and Zimbabwe (+349.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average maize import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -4.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 169%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+27.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform