Maize flour and cereals market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Australia and New Zealand experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a significant expansion to 130.7 thousand tons in 2019, consumption declined over the next two years, reaching 107.7 thousand tons in 2021. This was followed by a sharp recovery in 2022, with the market volume jumping to 140.3 thousand tons, before easing slightly to 131.6 thousand tons in 2023.

The substantial market growth in 2022 was primarily driven by two key developments. Severe droughts in the United States, a major global producer, reduced maize supplies and pushed up international prices, which incentivized increased local production and import activity in Australia and New Zealand. Simultaneously, rising demand from the region's growing meat industry for maize as animal feed placed additional upward pressure on overall consumption and production volumes.

The market contraction in 2023 saw volume recede from the previous year's high, reflecting a normalization after the supply and demand shocks of 2022. The period from 2018 to 2023 overall was characterized by volatility, with the market ending nearly 25% larger than its starting point.

Production maize flour and cereals in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand produced 96.7 thousand tons of maize flour and cereals, showing little change from the previous year. Production decreased by 5.3% between 2018 and 2021, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 102.6 thousand tons, followed by a slight drop to 96.6 thousand tons in 2020, which marked the lowest point. The most significant decrease occurred in 2020 with a 5.8% decline, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

Maize flour and cereals exports from Australia and New Zealand rose for the second year in a row in 2021, reaching 20 113 tons, a moderate increase of 6.7% compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 14 442 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 39.1%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase at 30.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the top buyers of maize flour and cereals from Australia and New Zealand were Qatar (14.0% of exports in kind), the United States (12.4%), and Thailand (8.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for just 35.2% of total exports in kind, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Maize flour and cereals exports from Australia and New Zealand increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 15 445 thousand US dollars, a substantial rise of 19.1% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 981 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.0%.

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

During 2018-2021, exports in value terms of maize flour and cereals from Australia and New Zealand were relatively evenly distributed. The United States (15.1% of exports in value terms), Papua New Guinea (11.6%), and Fiji (9.9%) together accounted for only 36.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, maize flour and cereals imports into Australia and New Zealand declined in 2021, with 31 080 tons imported, a sharp decrease of 33.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports overall increased by 13.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.3%. The peak import volume was in 2020 at 46 849 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 55.3% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States (28.7% of imports in kind), Thailand (20.0%), and Argentina (10.6%) remained the leading suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Australia and New Zealand, collectively representing 59.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year increase, maize flour and cereals imports into Australia and New Zealand declined in 2021, with imports valued at 37 106 thousand US dollars, a strong drop of 20.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 37 106 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 24.8%.

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

In 2018-2021, the United States (30.0% of imports in value terms), Thailand (22.5%), and Vietnam (6.1%) continued to be the top suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Australia and New Zealand, jointly accounting for 58.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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