Maize flour and cereals market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of maize flour and cereals in Colombia rose from 1 343 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 120 thousand tons in 2023, while market volume expanded from 1 325 thousand tons to 2 066 thousand tons. This growth was fueled by increases in cultivated area for corn and wheat, as changing lifestyles and consumption patterns boosted demand for food grains. By 2023, corn cultivation area had reached 390 thousand hectares, supported by demand from the animal feed industry.

Product innovation contributed, with Kellogg introducing new cereal-based nutrition bars in Colombia during 2022. Price coverage programs helped mitigate international price volatility, and strict sanitary controls on imports maintained market standards. The national milling industry increased its exports, reflecting enhanced production capacity.

Demand for maize flour remained stable despite a 20.5% annual price increase for flours and cereals in 2022, as it is a staple food. Government purchase programs for corn in regions like Córdoba, Meta, and Tolima further supported domestic production.

Production maize flour and cereals in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Colombia was among the world's leading producers of maize flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking 23rd globally by production volume.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

Colombia's production of maize flour and cereals grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,681 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's production value of maize flour and cereals increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,404 million US dollars, up by 6.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,158 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia's exports of maize flour and cereals rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 42,030 tonnes, representing a 25.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 214.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 46.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru were the top destinations for Colombia's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms. Ecuador accounted for 24.9% of exports, Chile for 20.0%, and Peru for 17.3%, together making up 62.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Colombia's foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 35,096 thousand US dollars, showing a 27.0% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 145.2%, with an annualized rate of 34.9%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru dominated Colombia's maize flour and cereals exports. Ecuador represented 21.2% of export value, Chile 20.0%, and Peru 17.0%, collectively comprising 58.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's imports of maize flour and cereals increased in volume for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 5,845 tonnes, up by 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,887 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 37.4%. In 2019, imports rebounded with the largest increase of 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Guyana, and the United States remained the primary suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Colombia in volume terms. Chile accounted for 67.2% of imports, Guyana for 12.4%, and the United States for 7.7%, together forming 87.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Colombia's imports of maize flour and cereals grew in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 4,569 thousand US dollars worth, indicating a significant gain of 33.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 51.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,768 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms were highly concentrated, with Chile and the United States together accounting for 83.5% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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