Maize flour and cereals market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

Maize flour and cereals production in the Americas increased steadily from 57 702 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 62 882 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by rising global demand for maize as livestock feed from the expanding meat industry and for biofuel production, coupled with technological advances in agriculture that improved yields and production efficiency.

In 2022, production dropped to 59 766 thousand tonnes, largely due to severe droughts in the United States that significantly reduced maize harvests and caused price volatility, disrupting supply chains. The market partially recovered in 2023 to 60 334 thousand tonnes, aided by growing commercial bulk procurement and shifting consumer preferences towards protein-enriched and specialty maize flour variants.

Regulatory developments in 2024, such as China's Food Security Law aimed at cereal self-sufficiency, along with continued trends like sustainability practices and foodservice integration, influenced market conditions, with global production forecasts supported by favorable weather and expanded planted areas.

Production maize flour and cereals in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

Maize flour and cereals production in the Americas has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 61 069 K t, marking a 0.7% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 57 702 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 0.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Maize flour and cereals exports from the Americas have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 391.8 K t, showing a sharp increase of 27.8% compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 298.3 K t, with the largest drop of 28.7% occurring that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Angola, Japan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the top contributors to exports in kind. Angola accounted for 18.2% of exports, while Japan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo each represented 2.4%. Together, these three countries made up 23.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2019 at 182.3 M $ US and peaked in 2020 at 364.1 M $ US, representing a twofold difference. In 2020, maize flour and cereals shipments from the Americas amounted to 364.1 M $ US, up by 99.7% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 44.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo led as the top buyers of maize flour and cereals from the Americas in value terms. Together, they accounted for 12.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Americas imported approximately 392.5 K t of maize flour and cereals, a dramatic increase of 54.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 254.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Italy, and Ukraine were the primary suppliers of maize flour and cereals to the Americas in kind. Turkey accounted for 1.1% of imports, Italy for 0.8%, and Ukraine for 0.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 2.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the import value of maize flour and cereals to the Americas amounted to 327.8 M $ US, which is 30.8% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 33.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.4%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in value terms were not concentrated among a few key destinations. Italy accounted for 1.3% of imports, Thailand for 1.0%, and India for 0.8%. Together, these three countries made up only 3.1% of total import flows.

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

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