Western Africa: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Western Africa

The West African maize market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Maize Production in Western Africa

In value terms, maize production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 18%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of maize production was Nigeria (X tons), accounting for 47% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mali (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Ghana (X tons), with a 12% share.

In Nigeria, maize production increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mali (+9.6% per year) and Ghana (+5.3% per year).

In 2022, the average maize yield in Western Africa reached X tons per ha, with an increase of 2.7% against 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the yield increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. 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 Western Africa; waning by -4.2% on the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9.3%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of maize were exported in Western Africa; increasing by 2.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 123%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Burkina Faso dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 66% of total exports in 2022. Benin (X tons) held an 8.7% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Mali (8.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (7.3%) and Ghana (6.5%). Nigeria (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Burkina Faso increased at an average annual rate of +10.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mali (+69.8%) and Ghana (+12.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +69.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Benin (-14.3%), Cote d'Ivoire (-17.4%) and Nigeria (-33.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Burkina Faso (+56 p.p.), Mali (+8.7 p.p.) and Ghana (+5.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Benin, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria saw its share reduced by -6.6%, -11.2% and -52.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Western Africa, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Benin ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 12% share.

In Burkina Faso, maize exports contracted by an average annual rate of -1.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Benin (-19.2% per year) and Ghana (+19.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 108%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a 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 Benin ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+16.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Maize Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, maize imports in Western Africa skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 24% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 86% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Senegal represented the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 60% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), Niger (X tons), Cabo Verde (X tons) and Mauritania (X tons), together comprising a 33% share of total imports. The following importers - Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Benin (X tons) - each reached a 3.8% share of total imports.

Imports into Senegal increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mauritania (+27.1%), Benin (+18.5%) and Cabo Verde (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +27.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Ghana (-3.9%), Cote d'Ivoire (-7.2%) and Niger (-10.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Senegal (+19 p.p.) and Mauritania (+4.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Niger saw its share reduced by -2.2%, -7% and -13.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize in Western Africa, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ghana ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Benin, with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Senegal was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (-6.6% per year) and Benin (+19.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -8.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 61% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Benin ($X per ton), while Niger ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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