Maize market in Angola

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Angola demonstrated consistent expansion from 2018 to 2023, primarily fueled by state-led initiatives to boost self-sufficiency. In 2018, the government announced targets to increase cultivated area from 5 million to 7 million hectares with support from the African Development Bank, laying the groundwork for future production growth. This policy framework was significantly reinforced by the 2021 launch of the National Grain Production Promotion Plan (PLANAGRÃO) and the inclusion of maize in the Food Strategic Reserve (REA) procurement list, creating a structured demand signal for domestic farmers. PLANAGRÃO was formally enacted by Presidential Decree in 2022, setting an ambitious production target of up to 10 million tonnes per year and prioritizing development in the country's eastern provinces.

Direct support measures translated these plans into tangible output increases. The distribution of 3 thousand tonnes of improved maize seeds to the family sector in 2019, which accounts for roughly 80% of national production, helped raise yields. Continued technical support and micro-financing, initially highlighted in 2018, contributed to a reported 36.8% surge in total agricultural production for the 2022/2023 season. By 2023, the industrial base was further strengthened by the expansion of milling and processing capacity across 17 plants, including Carrinho Indústria supplying the REA, and new licenses for hybrid seed production under the Commercial Agriculture Development Program aimed at enhancing maize productivity.

These cumulative efforts resulted in a marked rise in domestic maize supply, which supported market volume growth. Notably, high production in the Huíla and Andulo provinces in 2022 led to local price declines, indicating ample availability. Overall, maize market size increased from 2.8 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.2 million tonnes in 2023, with domestic production following a similar upward trajectory from 2.8 million to 3.2 million tonnes over the period. While broader inflation affected food basket prices in 2023, the price of maize flour continued its downward trend, reflecting the sustained growth in output and supply.

Production maize in Angola

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Angola's maize production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2,972 thousand tons of maize, showing a modest year-on-year improvement of 5.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

Exports maize from Angola

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 2 tons, then surged to a peak of 362 tons in 2019, representing a 150-fold increase. In 2020, Angola exported 19 tons of maize, marking a sharp decline of 94.7% compared to 2019. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2019 at 14,890.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia and Congo were the dominant buyers of maize from Angola, together accounting for 85.0% of total exports in volume. Other destinations each represented relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 631 thousand US dollars, representing a 1,150-fold increase. In 2020, Angola exported 103 thousand US dollars worth of maize, showing a sharp reduction of 83.7% compared to the previous year. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2019 at 13,772.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Namibia played a dominant role in Angola's maize exports in value terms, consistently accounting for 92.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Angola

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 6,609 tons, after peaking in 2019 at 57,415 tons, representing an 8.7-fold difference. The 2020 volume reflects a steep drop of 88.5% from 2019. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2019 at 154.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina and Brazil remained the primary suppliers of maize to Angola, with a combined share of 81.9% of total imports in volume. Other countries formed the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports were at their minimum in 2017, then reached a maximum in 2019 at 25,857 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, maize shipments to Angola from abroad amounted to 14,947 thousand US dollars, marking a loss of 42.2% compared to 2019. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2018 at 94.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Argentina (57.8% of imports in value terms), Brazil (14.6% of imports in value terms), and South Africa (9.6% of imports in value terms) were the primary suppliers of maize to Angola, jointly accounting for 82.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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