Maize flour and cereals market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize flour and cereals in New Zealand showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. It peaked at 53 269 t in 2019, a 66% increase from the previous year, then fell in 2020 and 2021, recovered slightly in 2022, and dropped again to 25 878 t in 2023.

Domestic production mirrored this volatility, rising to 40 800 t in 2019 before declining over the next four years to 17 126 t in 2023. Imports also varied sharply, with a high of 17 809 t in 2019 coinciding with the market peak, followed by lower levels in subsequent years. Exports, while smaller in scale, fell notably in 2023 to 1 879 t.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, reaching 39.1 million US dollars in 2019 before contracting to 26.1 million by 2023. Import and export data for 2024 and 2025 indicate a continued downward trend in imports, with volumes falling to 7 336 t in 2025, while exports remained moderate.

Production maize flour and cereals in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

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

Maize flour and cereals production in New Zealand has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, production reached 32 087 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production grew by 3.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 40 800 tonnes, which represented a significant increase of 31.6% from the previous year. However, the following year saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 19.2% in 2020.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of maize flour and cereals output in New Zealand was 25 573 thousand US dollars, showing a notable advance of 24.5% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, the total value increased by 15%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 20 533 thousand US dollars, which reflected a sharp decline of 38.2%. In contrast, the peak value occurred in 2019 at 33 221 thousand US dollars, driven by a substantial increase of 49.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

Maize flour and cereals exports from New Zealand have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 7 403 tonnes, representing an improvement of 7.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 10.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 5 340 tonnes, which marked a decline of 20.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with exports rising by 28.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea were the principal destinations for New Zealand's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 36.7% of exports, Fiji for 10.7%, and Papua New Guinea for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 57.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, New Zealand's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms have rebounded. In 2021, export value reached 5 900 thousand US dollars, which is 38.0% higher than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 22.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 277 thousand US dollars, after a decline of 9.4% in 2019.

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

In value terms, the leading destinations for New Zealand's maize flour and cereals exports from 2018 to 2021 were the United States, Fiji, and Australia. The United States held a 40.8% share, Fiji accounted for 11.0%, and Australia for 10.3%. Collectively, these three markets made up 62.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of maize flour and cereals into New Zealand showed significant volatility during this period. In 2021, imports totaled 7 847 tonnes, reflecting a sharp drop of 29.0% compared to 2020. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 17 809 tonnes, which represented a dramatic increase of 132.1% from the previous year. However, imports then fell by 37.9% in 2020. Overall, from the low in 2018 to the peak in 2019, imports varied by a factor of 2.3.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina, Australia, and Thailand were the main sources of maize flour and cereals imports into New Zealand in volume terms. Argentina contributed 34.7% of imports, Australia 27.1%, and Thailand 17.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Maize flour and cereals imports into New Zealand have declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, import value registered 8 641 thousand US dollars, marking a small decline of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 10 208 thousand US dollars, following an increase of 36.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with imports dropping by 14.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Australia, Thailand, and Argentina formed the key group of partners for maize flour and cereals imports into New Zealand in value terms. Australia accounted for 36.5% of imports, Thailand for 19.8%, and Argentina for 12.7%. Jointly, these three countries represented 69.0% of total import value.

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

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