Maize flour and cereals market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Argentine maize flour and cereals market volume grew from 1,752 thousand tonnes to 1,818 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by increased domestic corn milling, which rose by 5.9% year-on-year in 2019, and a sustained rise in internal demand for animal feed and bioethanol production, with corn-based bioethanol output jumping 32% in 2022. Export markets in Asia, South America, and Africa remained key, facilitated by major global traders like COFCO—which became the top exporter—Cargill, ADM, and Bunge. Regulatory updates, including the 2018 rules for grain classifiers (Resolution 306/2018) and later amendments to the Argentine Food Code for maize flour and snacks, helped standardize the market. A state-backed fertilizer support program for small and medium producers, announced earlier and finalized in 2023, also aimed at boosting agricultural yields.

The market's upward trend reversed in 2023, with volume contracting to 1,583 thousand tonnes. That year saw the official launch of the fertilizer support program and further regulatory refinements for cereal-based snacks under the Food Code. However, these developments coincided with a significant reduction in overall market size.

Production maize flour and cereals in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was one of the world's leading producers of maize flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking 20th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

After two years of growth, maize flour and cereals production in Argentina declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 788 K t, marking a 2.2% increase. However, in 2020, production fell to 1 733 K t, reflecting a 3.1% drop compared to the previous year.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

The export market for maize flour and cereals from Argentina showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 502 t, representing a sharp 96.6% decline. The following year, in 2019, exports rebounded to 883 t, a 76.0% increase from 2018. The highest export volume was recorded in 2017, with a 29-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Argentina's maize flour and cereals exports in kind were Angola, Chile, and the United States. Together, these countries accounted for 87.6% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals exports from Argentina exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, export value dropped to its minimum of 137 K $ US, a steep 97.4% decrease. In 2019, exports recovered to 262 K $ US, which was 91.8% higher than the previous year. The peak value occurred in 2017, with a 39-fold variation between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Angola, Chile, and the United States were the key partners for Argentina's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms. Angola led with 49.3% of exports, followed by Chile at 17.1%, and the United States at 13.8%. Collectively, these three markets made up 80.2% of total export value flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Imports of maize flour and cereals into Argentina increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 133 t, showing a significant 72.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 562.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 87.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main sources for Argentina's maize flour and cereals imports in kind were Colombia, Chile, and the United States. Together, these countries supplied 88.5% of total import volumes during these years.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Argentina's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms rose for the third year in a row in 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 3 887 K $ US, marking a substantial 48.0% increase from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, import value surged by 629.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 94.0%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Argentina's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms were Colombia, the United States, and Chile. These countries together accounted for 91.3% of total import value flows over this timeframe.

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

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