Market research

Maize market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Africa expanded from 98.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 115.1 million tonnes in 2020. This growth was initiated by the adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2018, which progressively reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers to boost intra-regional trade. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic sustained demand for maize as a staple food, supporting market volume despite supply chain disruptions.

After peaking in 2020, the market contracted slightly to 110.6 million tonnes by 2022. A key driver in 2021 was the reduced chicken-to-maize price ratio, which lowered profitability for the poultry industry and decreased feed demand. In 2022, record South African agricultural exports and a decline in global maize production tightened availability. The market recovered to 114 million tonnes in 2023, supported by a bumper harvest in South Africa that strengthened its position as a net exporter.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production maize in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Africa's maize production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Africa produced 94 085 K t of maize, which represents a 9.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 83 926 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.3%)	2.3%	9.6%	1.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 399 K t, with the largest decline of 84.4% recorded that year. In 2020, maize deliveries from Africa peaked at 2 838 K t, marking a significant increase of 610.6% from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019 was 7.1-fold.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.5%)	(84.4%)	610.6%	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for Africa's maize exports in kind was quite broad. Japan accounted for 9.7% of exports in kind, Vietnam for 7.6%, and South Korea for 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 23.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 429 M $ US, with the largest decline of 36.7% recorded that year. In 2020, Africa exported 751 M $ US of maize, showing a sharp rise of 75.3% from 2019. The difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019 was a factor of 1.8.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.0%)	(36.7%)	75.3%	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Africa's maize exports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Japan represented 7.3% of exports in value terms, Vietnam 6.5%, and South Korea 4.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for only 18.4% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's maize imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 23 879 K t, up by 4.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 17 216 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 20.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 32.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(20.1%)	32.7%	4.5%	3.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Ukraine, and Brazil led the structure of Africa's maize imports in kind. Argentina accounted for 42.1% of imports in kind, Ukraine for 20.8%, and Brazil for 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 80.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's maize imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Africa imported approximately 4 722 M $ US of maize, corresponding to an uptick of 7.1% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 034 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 10.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 9.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.2%)	9.3%	7.1%	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Ukraine, and Brazil were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of Africa's maize imports in value terms. Argentina accounted for 37.6% of imports in value terms, Ukraine for 20.0%, and Brazil for 17.8%. Together, these three countries had a combined share of 75.4% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io