Maize flour and cereals market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazilian maize flour market demonstrated gradual growth from 4.7 million tons in 2018 to 5.0 million tons in 2023, despite annual fluctuations. A slight dip in 2019 was influenced by regional droughts, which constrained corn harvests and raw material availability for flour milling. The market rebounded in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic spurred heightened demand for staple foods, including maize flour, supporting volume growth.

Continued investments in agricultural technology and certified seeds helped propel production higher in 2021. However, in 2022, adverse weather conditions linked to El Niño reduced crop yields, while simultaneously, the expanding corn ethanol sector increased competition for raw grain, temporarily squeezing flour production. Market volume recovered in 2023, supported by the expansion of cultivated area and ongoing technological improvements in farming.

Production maize flour and cereals in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Brazil was one of the world's leading producers of maize flour and cereals from 2018 to 2021, ranking 7th globally by production volume.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

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

Brazil's production of maize flour and cereals grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 5 095 thousand tons, marking a modest increase of 3.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 5.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 803 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of Brazil's maize flour and cereals production increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 2 189 million US dollars, representing a significant rise of 22.2% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 46.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 374 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 8.3% occurred. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 30.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Brazil's exports of maize flour and cereals amounted to 112.9 thousand tons, showing a steep decline of 39.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 11%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The highest export volume was in 2020 at 185.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 61.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Angola, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the main buyers of maize flour and cereals from Brazil. Angola accounted for 53.4% of exports in kind, Venezuela for 23.8%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 90.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports in value terms peaked in 2020 at 67 345 thousand US dollars and reached their lowest point in 2019 at 32 975 thousand US dollars, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports totaled 48 527 thousand US dollars, down by 27.9% year-on-year. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 104.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Angola, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the primary buyers of maize flour and cereals from Brazil in value terms. Angola made up 43.2% of exports, Venezuela 34.6%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo 10.8%. Collectively, they accounted for 88.6% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Brazil imported 0.5 thousand tons of maize flour and cereals, down by 8.5% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 4.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 0.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 32.3%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 0.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 53.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Italy, and France were the leading sources for Brazil's imports of maize flour and cereals in kind. The United States accounted for 26.5% of imports, Italy for 23.0%, and France for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 60.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Brazil's imports of maize flour and cereals reached 795 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 16.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 17%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 646 thousand US dollars, when the largest decline of 32.5% occurred. The largest increase was in 2020 at 46.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, Italy, and Spain were consistently the top sources for Brazil's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms. The United States accounted for 23.8% of imports, Italy for 20.5%, and Spain for 11.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 55.9% of total import flows.

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

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