Maize flour and cereals market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Nepal's maize flour and cereals production increased steadily, reaching 1 million tons by 2020. This initial growth was supported by the widespread adoption of improved maize varieties, which boosted yields, and a shift in food habits that raised demand for maize, particularly as feed for the livestock and poultry sectors.

The expansion continued into 2021 and 2022, with production climbing to 1.1 million tons. Government policies actively supporting cereal crop production, including maize, played a key role, along with the adoption of conservation agriculture and better nutrient management practices that enhanced productivity. Collaboration between public research institutions and the private sector in seed breeding programs further strengthened the seed system.

By 2023, production stabilized at 1.1 million tons. During this period, efforts to improve technical efficiency in farming and the growth of agricultural cooperatives contributed to sustaining output levels.

Production maize flour and cereals in Nepal

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

Maize flour and cereals production in Nepal has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Nepal produced 1 000 K t of maize flour and cereals, representing a 2.0% year-over-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 37-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nepal's cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals totaled 1 t, marking a significant increase of 643.1% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was overwhelmingly dominant as the destination for Nepal's maize flour and cereals exports in kind, accounting for 97.7% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their trough in 2017 and peaked in 2018, changing by a factor of 6.6. In 2020, Nepal exported 4.8 K $ US of maize flour and cereals, showing a gain of 561.0% from 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, China remained the dominant direction for Nepal's exports in value terms, capturing 80.0% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Nepal imported approximately 1 541 t of maize flour and cereals in 2020, down by 17.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 277 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 864 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 46.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of maize flour and cereals to Nepal were almost entirely concentrated in India, which held a share of 99.3%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Nepal imported a total of value_last_year K $ US of maize flour and cereals in 2020, constituting a decline of 31.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 20.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 459.2 K $ US, and the maximum was in 2019 at 776.3 K $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 69.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, the partner base for Nepal's imports in value terms was extremely narrow, with India alone responsible for 99.1% of total flows.

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

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