Maize flour and cereals market in Afghanistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Afghanistan experienced substantial growth between 2018 and 2023, with volume more than quadrupling from 57.2 thousand tonnes to 269.4 thousand tonnes. This expansion was marked by particularly sharp increases in 2019, when the market nearly doubled, and again in 2021 with a rise of nearly 50%.

The surge in market size was primarily fueled by a dramatic rise in imports, which climbed from 37 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 228.9 thousand tonnes in 2023. Domestic production also contributed to the growth, increasing from 20.1 thousand tonnes to 40.5 thousand tonnes over the same period, indicating a broadening consumption base for maize-based products.

Production maize flour and cereals in Afghanistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Afghanistan produced 29 560 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 46.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 71.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.7%. The smallest change occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Afghanistan

Exports in kind, t

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan's maize flour and cereals exports were almost entirely directed to Indonesia, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Indonesia consistently dominated Afghanistan's export structure in value terms, representing 100.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Afghanistan

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.6 times. In 2020, maize flour and cereals imports into Afghanistan stood at 94 838 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. The maximum volume was 95 115 tonnes in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 156.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran and Pakistan were the primary sources for maize flour and cereals imports into Afghanistan, together accounting for 95.2% of total flows, while other countries held minor shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign maize flour and cereals supplies to Afghanistan amounted to 8 459 thousand US dollars, representing a decline of 64.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 094 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 154.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017–2020, Iran was the leading market for imports in value terms, capturing 75.8% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020