Maize market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Bolivia opened the period at 1.28 million tons in 2018, but contracted sharply to 987 000 tons in 2019. This decline was preceded by a reduction in cultivated area as private farmers shifted to more profitable crops. To secure domestic supply, the government maintained export restrictions and implemented the Social Economic Function (FES) to promote sustainable land use. In 2020, despite a dip in domestic output, the market volume edged up to 1.01 million tons as significant imports, facilitated by state policies guaranteeing internal supply and price controls, compensated for lower production.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market size expanding to 1.22 million tons driven by a rebound in harvests. Continued government price controls and support for producers helped stabilize the supply chain. The trend reversed in 2022 when severe drought and adverse weather conditions caused production to drop, pulling the market down to 988 000 tons. That year, the state authorized a limited export quota after confirming surplus availability, while also intervening to guarantee supply through public planting programs and anti-speculation measures.

In 2023, the maize market volume recovered again, reaching 1.12 million tons on the back of increased domestic production.

Production maize in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Bolivia's maize production declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production was 988,000 tons, which fell to 955,000 tons in 2020—a decrease of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,261,000 tons, marking a significant increase of 32.0% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.7%.

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

Exports maize from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for maize from Bolivia showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 8,765 tons, representing a 2.8-fold increase. In 2020, exports fell sharply to 3,464 tons, a decrease of 44.8% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru, Chile, and Argentina were the primary buyers of Bolivian maize, accounting for 79.3% of total exports in volume. Peru led with 55.3%, followed by Chile at 15.6%, and Argentina at 8.4%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values in monetary terms were highly volatile. The lowest point was in 2019 at $3,926,000, rising to a peak in 2020 at $8,708,000—a 2.2-fold increase. This represented a sharp uptick of 121.8% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 30.2%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela were the main destinations for Bolivian maize exports, together making up 64.7% of the total. Peru accounted for 24.9%, Ecuador for 23.0%, and Venezuela for 16.9%.

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

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

Imports maize to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for maize in Bolivia were highly unstable. The lowest level was in 2019 at 6,076 tons, which surged to 62,847 tons in 2020—a dramatic increase of 934.4% year-over-year and a 13.1-fold rise from the 2017 peak to the 2019 trough. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 79.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina dominated Bolivia's maize imports, accounting for 96.5% of the total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values also showed significant fluctuations. The minimum was in 2019 at $6,112,000, increasing to $12,154,000 in 2020—a rise of 98.9% from the previous year and a 3.1-fold variation from the 2017 high to the 2019 low. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina and Brazil were the key sources for Bolivia's maize imports in value terms, together representing 82.5% 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 Bolivia in value, 2017-2020