Maize flour and cereals market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Laos began the period at 82 375 t in 2018, supported by government policies promoting economic openness, foreign investment in agriculture, and the adoption of modern farming technologies. Despite the continuation of these supportive measures, domestic production fell in 2019, contributing to a market decline to 78 319 t. A sharp contraction followed in 2020, with the market volume dropping to 57 154 t.

The implementation of the Ninth Five-Year Plan for agriculture in 2021, aimed at ensuring food and energy security, coincided with production stabilizing at 49 500 t, though the overall market size edged down to 55 790 t. In 2022, inflationary pressures and a depreciation of the local currency increased production costs. However, a rise in imports to 13 340 t and a halt in exports led to a market recovery to 58 340 t.

By 2023, forecasts for rising agricultural export revenues and the growth of AgriTech platforms like Cofarm Laos, designed to connect farmers and consumers, were notable developments. Nonetheless, domestic production fell sharply to 31 816 t, driving the market size down to 45 871 t.

Production maize flour and cereals in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

Laos's maize flour and cereals production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 49.5 thousand tonnes, which represents a 26.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 51%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.2%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Laos

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Laos exported 5,873 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a dramatic increase of 335.4% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly concentrated, with China alone accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, maize flour and cereals deliveries from Laos were recorded at 1,362 thousand US dollars, reflecting an advance of 196.3% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with China alone responsible for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Laos

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3,458 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 0.3%. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase of 251.8%. In 2020, Laos reached 13,527 tonnes of maize flour and cereals volumes, up by 11.2% versus the previous year, with a 3.9-fold gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand (40.0% of imports in kind), China (38.3% of imports in kind), and Vietnam (21.3% of imports in kind) remained the main markets for imports in kind of maize flour and cereals to Laos, jointly taking 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Laos's maize flour and cereals import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 3,537 thousand US dollars, indicating a solid increase of 12.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 47.5%, equating to a 13.8% annualized rate.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, China (39.3% of imports in value terms), Thailand (32.8% of imports in value terms), and Vietnam (27.4% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Laos, together comprising 99.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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