Maize flour and cereals market in Papua New Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Papua New Guinea grew from 11 573 t in 2018 to 12 018 t in 2019, primarily due to a sustained increase in corn imports that compensated for variations in domestic production. Improved agricultural yields also supported local supply, helping to meet rising demand.

Market volume dropped sharply to 10 011 t in 2020 as COVID-19 pandemic disruptions severely constrained import flows, cutting overseas shipments by nearly two-thirds. A rebound followed in 2021, with volume reaching 10 865 t, driven by the gradual restoration of supply chains and renewed economic activity boosting food consumption.

In the subsequent years, the market stabilized around 11 000 t, reaching 11 350 t by 2023, amid steady cereal output and post-pandemic recovery. During this period, the government initiated the National Agricultural Sector Plan 2024-2033, aiming to strengthen food security and climate resilience for the long term.

Production maize flour and cereals in Papua New Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Papua New Guinea produced 9 182 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, representing a modest 1.9% increase compared to 2019. Production declined by 4.7% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 007 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 9 856 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 8.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Papua New Guinea

Exports in kind, t

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Papua New Guinea's exports of maize flour and cereals were almost entirely directed to the Netherlands, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the export market in value terms was highly concentrated, with the Netherlands alone responsible for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Papua New Guinea

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Papua New Guinea imported a total of {value_last_year} tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a 72.5% decrease compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 011 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 75.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports of maize flour and cereals to Papua New Guinea in kind were New Zealand (48.1% of imports), Australia (16.7%), and Malaysia (12.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 77.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of maize flour and cereals to Papua New Guinea declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of {value_last_year} thousand US dollars worth of these products, reflecting a 65.5% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 78.9%, averaging an annual decline of 40.5%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, New Zealand and Australia were the dominant sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.5% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020