Maize flour and cereals market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Australia demonstrated substantial growth over the 2018-2023 period, with volume increasing from 73 370 tons to 107 865 tons. This expansion occurred alongside significant shifts in the balance between domestic production and trade.

After a moderate rise in 2019, market volume surged by 11% in 2020 to 85 147 tons, supported by a sharp increase in imports to 34 594 tons. However, in 2021, reduced imports and consistent exports led to a market contraction to 75 706 tons. A turning point came in 2022, when the market jumped 36% to 103 298 tons, primarily due to a strong recovery in domestic production, which reached 88 901 tons.

Growth continued in 2023, with the market reaching 107 865 tons as production climbed further to 93 432 tons. Throughout the period, the market's supply structure evolved, with domestic output playing an increasingly dominant role compared to imports.

Production maize flour and cereals in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Australia's production of maize flour and cereals has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 64 613 tonnes, marking a 1.5% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production declined by 9.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 61 811 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 13.1%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Australia

Exports in kind, t

Australia's exports of maize flour and cereals have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volumes reached 13 289 tonnes, showing a 1.4% year-on-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 19.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 9 156 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest decline of 44.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 43.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand, Qatar, and Kuwait were the core markets for Australia's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms. New Zealand accounted for 23.9% of exports, Qatar for 21.0%, and Kuwait for 12.0%. Together, these three countries made up 56.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Australia's exports of maize flour and cereals in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports stood at 9 545 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 9.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 13.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 632 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.3%. The biggest increase happened in 2020, with a surge of 31.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand—collectively accounted for 50.5% of the total value of Australia's maize flour and cereals exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports maize flour and cereals to Australia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Australia's imports of maize flour and cereals in volume terms declined in 2021. The country imported 24 381 tonnes, representing a sharp 29.5% drop from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 29.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.9%. The highest import volume was in 2020 at 34 594 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 44.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Thailand, and Vietnam were the main sources for Australia's maize flour and cereals imports in volume terms. The United States contributed 39.9% of imports, Thailand 21.0%, and Vietnam 10.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Australia's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms fell in 2021. Imports amounted to 20 778 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 26.6% decrease year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 21.9%, with an annualized rate of 6.8%. The peak value was in 2020 at 28 324 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 38.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, Thailand, and Vietnam together accounted for 69.3% of the total value of Australia's maize flour and cereals imports. The United States made up 38.8%, Thailand 23.6%, and Vietnam 7.0%, remaining the primary sources for these imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021