Market research

Maize market in Brazil

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Brazil's maize market volume increased from 60.3 million tonnes to 77.4 million tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by the rapid expansion of corn-based ethanol production, which began in 2017 and accelerated with the entry of new players like Inpasa, which started operating South America's largest ethanol plant in 2019. The rising industrial demand for maize from this sector supported domestic market volume even as exports grew.

Maize production saw significant gains due to the widespread adoption of high-yielding, genetically modified seeds, which improved resilience and output. While adverse weather, including droughts in 2021 and 2022, caused temporary production declines, the continued increase in planted area—especially for the second crop (safrinha)—and ongoing investments in corn ethanol capacity sustained the upward trend in domestic consumption and overall market size.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Brazil
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M 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, M 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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 Brazil, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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, 2018-2025
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 Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, M t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil ranked third globally in maize production.

Top producers of maize, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Following two years of growth, maize production in Brazil declined. In 2021, Brazil produced 88.3 million tonnes of maize, representing a significant 15.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 104.0 million tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 22.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, M t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.8%	2.8%	(15.1%)	2.3%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Maize production in Brazil increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 18,099 million US dollars, marking a 2.4% increase over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 26.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20.4%	2.5%	2.4%	8.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2021, while the highest was recorded in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.1 times. In 2021, Brazil's maize exports amounted to 20,430 thousand tonnes, a 40.7% decrease compared to 2020. The maximum export volume was 42,752 thousand tonnes in 2019, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 86.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	86.2%	(19.5%)	(40.7%)	(3.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil's maize exports in kind were distributed across numerous countries. Iran accounted for 16.1% of exports, Japan for 10.7%, and Egypt for 9.7%, with these three markets together representing only 36.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018, while the peak occurred in 2019, showing a 1.8-fold difference. In 2021, Brazil exported 4,189 million US dollars worth of maize, reflecting a sharp 28.4% decline compared to 2020. The maximum value was 7,290 million US dollars in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 82.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	82.5%	(19.7%)	(28.4%)	1.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Brazil's maize exports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Iran represented 16.5% of export value, Japan 10.2%, and Egypt 9.9%, with these three countries together accounting for just 36.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend during the period. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018, while the maximum occurred in 2021, showing a 3.5-fold variation. In 2021, Brazil's maize imports reached 3,206 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a 133.6% increase compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	58.0%	(6.0%)	133.6%	51.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay and Argentina together absorbed 99.9% of Brazil's total maize imports in kind, indicating a high degree of market concentration.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Maize imports into Brazil increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 803 million US dollars, reflecting a steep 266.7% gain compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 395.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 70.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.3%	1.4%	266.7%	70.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2018-2021, Paraguay and Argentina jointly absorbed 97.9% of Brazil's total maize imports in value terms, with the remaining volume scattered across smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io