Maize flour and cereals market in Oceania

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Oceania experienced notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. Market volume expanded from 120.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 143.4 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted over the next two years to 116.7 thousand tons in 2021. A sharp recovery followed in 2022, with volume reaching 153.5 thousand tons, before a modest decline to 143.2 thousand tons in 2023.

The 2022 surge was primarily driven by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which disrupted global grain supplies and prompted increased local production and imports in Oceania. Concurrently, growing consumer demand for natural, organic, and healthy food products supported market expansion. In 2023, the market eased from its peak as global cereal prices softened due to abundant supply and increased competition from Black Sea grains.

Underlying these movements, broader trends such as the rise of flavored maize flour varieties and sustained interest in gluten-free diets provided a stable demand base, though they did not fully offset the year-to-year volatility linked to global commodity markets.

Production maize flour and cereals in Oceania

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 Oceania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 105.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 112.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-over-year increase of 0.3% also occurring that year.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Oceania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, maize flour and cereals exports from Oceania rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 20 069 tonnes, representing a significant 21.9% increase year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 29.3%, averaging an annual decline of 10.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 462 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest decline of 38.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, maize flour and cereals exports from Oceania were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—Qatar (18.6% of exports), the United States (10.6%), and Thailand (7.9%)—collectively accounted for only 37.2% of total export volumes, indicating a lack of concentration in key markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, maize flour and cereals export values from Oceania increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 13 277 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 17.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, export values decreased by 15.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 270 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize flour and cereals export values from Oceania were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. The United States (14.0% of export value), Qatar (8.0%), and Thailand (7.2%) together represented only 29.2% of total export flows, highlighting a diverse market distribution.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Oceania

Imports in kind, t

Maize flour and cereals imports into Oceania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 48 407 tonnes, showing a slight gain of 0.6% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 48.9%, averaging an annual increase of 14.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States (26.9% of import volumes), Thailand (16.3%), and Argentina (9.5%) formed the core group of suppliers for maize flour and cereals imports into Oceania, together accounting for 52.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign maize flour and cereals supplies to Oceania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Oceania imported approximately 40 508 thousand US dollars worth of maize flour and cereals, which is 17.6% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values rose by 45.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (27.9% of import value), Thailand (19.5%), and India (5.8%) remained the main markets for maize flour and cereals imports into Oceania in value terms, jointly representing 53.2% of total import flows.

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

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